Countries Embracing The Four-Day Week
The concept of a four-day workweek is gaining momentum in many countries, with each nation experimenting with its unique approach to implementing this innovative working model.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, conversations around workplace flexibility and benefits have reinvigorated the discussion on the four-day workweek.
The idea is simple: employees work four days a week, maintaining their pay and benefits, while compressing their workload. This model aims to increase worker satisfaction and productivity, reduce working hours, and enhance work-life balance.
Let's take a closer look at some of the countries that have embraced this transformative approach.
Belgium: Pioneering the Way
Belgium became the first European country to legislate for a four-day workweek in February 2022. Employees gained the right to work a full week in four days without a salary cut. Rather than working fewer hours, employees condense their work into fewer days. This change is designed to make Belgium's labour market more flexible and improve the balance between family and career. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo believes that this model will create a more dynamic economy, aiming to raise the employment rate to 80% by 2030.
Portugal: A Bold Move
Portugal joined the ranks of countries embracing the four-day workweek with a government-funded pilot program. Thirty-nine private companies partnered with the non-profit advocacy group 4 Day Week Global to implement the "100:80:100 model" – 100% pay for 80% of the time, with a commitment to maintain at least 100% productivity. This initiative aims to address Portugal's long working hours and boost productivity.
United Kingdom: Proven Success
The UK conducted a six-month trial of the four-day workweek, which has been hailed as "extremely successful." Over 3,300 employees from 61 companies participated in the largest trial of its kind. A remarkable 92% of companies decided to maintain the four-day workweek policy after the trial period, citing increased worker satisfaction and productivity. Similar programs are expected to launch in the US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Scotland and Wales: Joining the Movement
Scotland and Wales are set to explore the four-day workweek further. Scotland is launching a government trial for civil servants, while Wales is considering conducting a pilot scheme in the public sector. These decisions were influenced by strong public support and the success of similar programs in other countries.
Spain: A Bold Experiment
Spain initiated a pilot project in December 2022, aiming to help SMEs reduce their working week by at least half a day without reducing salaries. The Spanish government provides financial support to companies willing to design ways to increase productivity to compensate for wage cost overruns. This experiment addresses work-related stress and burnout while improving work-life balance.
Iceland: A Trailblazer
Iceland conducted one of the world's largest trials of a 35 to 36-hour workweek between 2015 and 2019. The pilot's success led to reduced working hours for nearly 90% of the working population, with improvements in worker well-being and productivity.
Sweden: Mixed Results
Sweden tested a four-day working week with full pay in 2015. While the experiment yielded positive results in some sectors, it faced criticism and was not renewed. However, some companies, like Toyota, continued with reduced hours for their workers.
Germany: A Growing Demand
Germany, with one of the shortest average working weeks in Europe, has witnessed a growing demand for shorter working hours. In April, the country's largest trade union, IG Metall, called for reduced working hours to retain jobs and avoid layoffs. A private initiative is also promoting a six-month trial for companies to explore this model.
Japan: Corporate Initiatives
Japan, known for its intense work culture, is seeing larger companies experiment with the four-day workweek. The Japanese government has expressed its commitment to achieving a better work-life balance, and corporate initiatives, like the one undertaken by Microsoft, have yielded positive results.
New Zealand: Unilever's Trial
Unilever in New Zealand is conducting a year-long trial of a four-day workweek at full pay, with a focus on measuring performance based on output rather than time. If successful, this model may be extended to other countries.
United States and Canada: Strong Interest
A significant portion of US workers supports the idea of a shortened workweek, citing improved mental health and increased productivity. Similarly, Canadian employers are considering alternative hybrid schedules, with a majority of full-time workers willing to shorten their five-day workweek to four days.
While the four-day workweek is gradually gaining global acceptance, its full-scale adoption remains uncertain and will likely depend on further trials and government initiatives. However, the evidence suggests that this approach could lead to improved work-life balance, greater productivity, and enhanced overall well-being for employees.
As the world continues to adapt to new work paradigms, the four-day workweek may become a defining feature of the future of work.
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