Welcome to OxTalks, powered by Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP). OxTalks aims to give you more insight into the great work that Enterprise Oxfordshire does, empowering and enabling businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond to add value to their organisation and, crucially, to the communities they serve.

In the final episode of the series, our focus is the changing face of the workplace, with a particular emphasis on the new four-day week working pattern that many organisations are adopting.

If we take a long look back over our shoulders to the industrial revolution, the typical Victorian mill owner had folk working six long days a week, with Sunday as a day of rest with a chance to replenish one's soul in church. In 1922, it was the Ford Motor Company that experimented with the five-day week, something that became permanent in 1926.

Today, post-global pandemic, our working world is changing shape. The overriding mantra of those championing this new way of working is "don't think about the hours, think about productivity and outcome".

But is a four-day week the silver bullet? Is it affordable for businesses to pay for five days and only get workers' time for four? What is in it for bosses and owners of these companies when, on the face of it, the deal heavily favours the employees? And will the four-day week actually create further inequalities in our society?

Howard is joined by Abena Fairweather, the founder and MD of Legacy, an award-winning, sustainable events agency, that has been operating with a four-day week since 2018.

Abena Fairweather is a sustainable events manager and consultant and the founder of Legacy, a sustainable events agency and consultancy. Abena helps companies and event professionals organise virtual and in-person events, as well as supporting them to run more sustainable events through training, workshops, audits and bespoke advice.

Learn more about Legacy

Enterprise Oxfordshire (formerly OxLEP) is an Oxfordshire County Council-owned company. It is our role to champion Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy. Our vision is for Oxfordshire to be a vibrant and inclusive world-leading economy – driven by innovation, enterprise, collaboration and research excellence.

Our work has made a significant impact, helping to create favourable conditions for economic growth in Oxfordshire. We provide support for hundreds of businesses and communities in the county, supporting their desire to grow and attract the best talent locally, nationally and internationally.

Visit our website / Access the Business Support Tool

OxTalks is recorded at the Oxford Podcast Studio and produced by Story Ninety-Four.