10 March 2026
10:10
The four-day week isn’t new to us here at Highgate, we’ve been doing it for over three and a half years, and we’re proud to say we’re well settled into the rhythm and reaping the rewards it brings!
But now, we’re super excited to share that we’ve now been officially recognised as a Gold Standard Accredited 4 Day Week Employer by the 4 Day Week Foundation. The Foundation accredits the Gold standard to UK employers who provide all staff with a 32-hour (or less) four-day week, with no loss of pay.
This accreditation is important to us because we align with the Foundation’s mission and what they are campaigning for. Moving away from the outdated 9–5, five-day grind and building a future where we truly work to live, not live to work.
British workers put in some of the longest hours in Europe, yet productivity doesn’t always match up. The four-day week is changing that and we’re proud to be part of a growing movement of forward-thinking businesses proving that there’s a better way to work.
At Highgate, we run a four-day week with seven-hour days, so it’s not about squeezing five days into four. Everyone also gets to choose which day they take off, giving our team the flexibility to make their week work for them.
The Benefits of a 4 Day Week at Highgate:
We believe that embracing the 4 Day Week has also contributed to the many achievements we’ve celebrated this year, including recognition across multiple award categories:
Sam Hunt, Head of Business Relations at the 4 Day Week Foundation says:
“I’d like to congratulate Highgate IT for achieving year on year success while pioneering the four day week in such a demanding sector.
It’s no surprise to me that four day week employers consistently receive accolades that acknowledge and recognise the best companies to work for in Britain.
Given the modern environment and our modern digital tools, the four day week serves to establish a new equilibrium in setting the optimal conditions for a workforce to best achieve their objectives, while simultaneously allowing them to lead happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
As the four day week gains momentum, a wider transition to adoption consistently presents us with interesting and challenging – but never insurmountable – hurdles. It’s great, however, when this long-term and future-oriented operational structure clicks with a company like it has with Highgate.
Once adopted, it’s rare that a team or individual can imagine any other way of doing things. The benefits are that clear. Often it is primarily the realisation and acceptance that it is possible, given the amount of time a five day week has been the norm, that is the biggest hurdle to overcome.
One of the key things that has occupied my thinking lately is the four day week’s role in supporting childcare responsibilities, and how this can positively impact the lives of parents raising children. When stress and friction have been reduced by a newfound increase in personal time and space, this naturally creates an environment for improved quality in the pursuit of our goals and direction.
Having communicated with and collaborated with a number of Highgate employees I’m consistently impressed with their attitude and the way they take everything in their stride. They’ve earnt their accreditation and we’re delighted to have them as part of our employer network.”
Here at Highgate we’re proud to be leading the way, not just in the UK, but within the IT industry, which is often known for being demanding. At Highgate, we’re proving that productivity and wellbeing can go hand in hand, and we’ll keep championing a way of working that’s better for both people and employer.
