In this episode of the Big Careers, Small Children podcast, Verena Hefti MBE speaks with Nadia Bunyan MCIPD, Director of People and Impact at Global Witness, and Tatiana Pignon, Associate Director at Autonomy.

They discuss how to implement a 4-day working week in a way that supports both staff wellbeing and organisational performance. Nadia shares lessons from leading a successful 4-day week pilot at Global Witness, while Tatiana brings insights from supporting over 100 organisations through similar transitions.

Together, they explore:

✔️ What organisations get wrong when moving to a shorter week

✔️ How to build trust and ensure leadership models healthy behaviours

✔️ Why co-creating the model with staff matters

✔️ How a shorter week supports working parents

✔️ What to consider when navigating global teams, peak periods, and emergencies

✔️ The mindset shift needed to move away from presenteeism

✔️ Practical steps for organisations starting their 4-day week journey

Whether you're a senior leader or a working parent curious about flexible working, this episode offers practical advice and real-world experience to inspire change.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How to move to a 4-day week without compromising impact

✔️ Why wellbeing and performance can go hand-in-hand

✔️ The role of culture, leadership, and trust in making it work

✔️ How flexible working can support inclusion and equity

Show Notes:

• Learn more about Global Witness: globalwitness.org
• Learn more about Autonomy: autonomy.work
• Connect with Nadia Bunyan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Tatiana Pignon on LinkedIn
• Learn more about the Leaders Plus: Big Careers, Small Children podcast and explore additional resources at leadersplus.org.
• Follow Leaders Plus on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Bluesky.
• Connect with our CEO, Verena Hefti MBE on LinkedIn.
• Find out more about the work of Leaders Plus by signing up to our Newsletter.

Our multi-award-winning Leaders Plus Fellowships support parents committed to career growth while enjoying family life. Expertly designed to keep parents on the leadership path, our programme tackles gender pay gap issues and empowers parents to thrive. Learn more here: Leaders Plus Fellowship.

More BCSC episodes you might love:

Episode 190: Does the Four Day Week Really Work?

Episode 178: [Future of Work] Lizzie Penny & Alex Hirst – How Workstyle (Rather Than Flexible Working) Could Change the Way You Work Forever