Ripon firm Bronco Ltd works 4.5 days a week but on full pay

All 11 employees at the company on Low Mill Road now work a 33.5 hour week, finishing at 12.30pm every Friday.

The permanent move follows the success of a structured internal trial, which saw positive results across productivity, energy levels and team wellbeing.

Bronco has also been accredited as a Silver Standard employer under the 4 Day Week Foundation’s Employer Accreditation Scheme, which recognises organisations that have permanently reduced working hours without reducing pay.

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Founded in 2003, Bronco is a full service digital marketing agency offering SEO, paid advertising, social media management, and web design and development services to clients across the UK.

Bronco Ltd reports success with its 4.5 day working week (Image: Pic supplied)

The agency began trialling a shorter working week to explore whether a better balance between work and personal life could be achieved without impacting performance or client delivery.

The trial showed that productivity remained strong, while staff reported feeling more focused, energised and motivated during working hours.

Becky Naylor, Director at Bronco, said: “Moving to a 4.5 day week has been a genuinely positive change for the business and for our team. We have seen no drop in productivity and in many cases the energy, focus and quality of work has improved.

“Giving people more time to recharge has created a healthier work life balance and a more motivated team, which ultimately benefits our clients as well.”

The four day and reduced hours working week has gained significant traction in recent years, with studies consistently showing improvements in wellbeing, job satisfaction and retention, alongside stable or improved productivity.

Major trials in the UK and internationally have demonstrated that shorter working weeks can be a win for both employers and employees.

Joe Ryle, Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said: “Congratulations to Bronco for becoming a shorter working week employer. With more free time, moving to a shorter working week gives workers the freedom to be able to live a happier and better life.

“As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, implementation can be a win win for both workers and employers. The nine to five, five day working week was invented 100 years ago and no longer suits the realities of modern life.”

Bronco has confirmed that the move will not affect client service levels, with systems in place to ensure responsiveness and delivery remain consistent.

The agency sees the new working pattern as a way to boost creativity, support employee wellbeing, and promote long-term sustainability.