Joe Ryle, the campaign director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, said the five-day working week was “invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose”.

Instead, his organisation was pushing for a four-day week with the same pay and benefits as those working five out of every seven days.

He said: “As hundreds of British companies and one local council have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers.

“A four-day week gives people the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives.”

Marketing and press relations firms made up 30 of the companies adopting the policy, while charities, non-governmental organisations and social care companies accounted for 29.

They were followed by 24 in technology, IT and software, while 22 companies in the business, consulting and management sector have also offered four-day weeks to their workers.