A tech company say introducing a four-day week has improved employee well-being.

Marlow tech company edison365 has been named the UK's best Workplace for Well-being after introducing a four-day working week.

The company began trialling a four-day week in January last year, with staff given the choice of taking both Monday and Friday as half days or booking one day off entirely.

In April, the minimised working week was officially introduced and has been successfully in place for almost a year. 

CEO of edison365 Ivan Lloyd, said: "It's always been a passion of mine to promote a work-life balance.

"What it has had a really positive effect on is people's mental states. If you speak to anyone in our organisation they'll tell you that having that one extra day makes a massive difference.

"Often, they'll choose to take Friday off from one week and Monday from the next so they have a four-day weekend and can do so much more in their free time."

Ivan said that while he hasn't seen a rise in productivity since cutting back the working hours, there hasn't been a decrease either. 

"I encourage everyone, from the day they start, to be independent. 

"If you empower people and trust them to manage their time, in my experience, they'll approach things in a much more positive way."

In naming edison365 the UK's Best Workplace for Wellbeing, Great Place to Work considered employee satisfaction, fulfilment and psychological safety.

Another factor cited by Ivan that contributes to the culture of well-being is the presence of two staff who are trained as mental health first aiders.

He said: "They proactively organise a calendar of activities and sessions to give people a chance to relax.

"They're also always available for a member of the team to speak to about any problems."

edison365 also holds biweekly meetings where all employees are encouraged to raise issues and celebrate each other's successes.

View the full list of the UK's best workplaces for well-being here.