Member Spotlight: Studio Pia trials four-day working week
19/05/2022
UKFT member Studio Pia is trialling a four day working week with no changes to pay to help improve the work-life balance for employees, as well as the mental and physical wellbeing of the team.
From July the team will work 32 hours across four days, with no change to pay or annual leave, plus continued working from home and flexible working options.
Studio Pia is a luxury lingerie brand with a conscience, launched by founder and creative director Pia Harpur in 2017.
After completing her design BA at the London College of Fashion, Pia spent seven years quietly establishing herself at the heart of the luxury lingerie industry. She worked as a designer for illustrious lingerie labels where the likes of Madonna and Beyoncé wore her creations before becoming the go-to consultant for both established and start-up brands alike.
During this time, Pia spotted a gap in the market for lingerie that was ethical yet truly luxurious, and she began developing her eponymous brand which would keep sustainability and ethics at the forefront of every decision. Her vision was to design a collection of creative, investment pieces that challenge preconceptions about ethical fashion aesthetics. Since launching, the brand has grown quickly and has been featured in top fashion publications in addition to being stocked in specialist boutiques across 12 countries.
Pia said: “Since having my son 18 months ago, I have really come to see the value in redressing the work/life balance. As a founder, you are often working every spare minute and whenever inspiration strikes, but having a baby put paid to that and I haven’t looked back. I have not returned to full time work, and it’s only fair that my team have that opportunity too. I look forward to them joining me in the four day week life (without any sacrifice in pay or holiday)!
She added: “It is important as an ethical business to reflect on the ways we can continually improve. With the aim to make the four-day work week permanent, we hope that by giving our team the opportunity to spend with family and friends, meet new people at an exercise class or volunteer, they will feel more motivated and fulfilled both inside and outside of the studio.”
Studio Pia is a UKFT member. Interested in UKFT membership? Find out more here.