The four-day workweek

 


The four-day workweek – utopia or reality?

In the world of work that we know, we have been used to a full-time working day of 8 hours a day for many years, which translates into 40 hours per week.

There are also half-days or part-time work, but these are always based on 8 hours a day.

In a study conducted on productivity and health at work, it was concluded that spending time sitting for long periods of time can negatively affect health or even shorten the years of  life, as it raises cholesterol levels and decreases heart capacity.

It can also cause long-term stress. Anxiety and sedentary lifestyle, associated with a long exposure to working hours,  have been exposed as the evils of the new century.

Pioneering companies

For this reason, several companies from different countries have decided to implement the four-day working week among their employees.

The preliminary results are very successful in all cases.

Of course, the salary has not been touched,  although the number of working hours has been reduced.

Longer rest time would mean that workers’ productivity would not be reduced.

In Iceland,  an experiment was conducted between 2015 and 2019. Workers were paid the same for working fewer hours and productivity was maintained or even improved.

In New Zealand, the company Perpetual Guardian also established this type of day with a great success of results. Their workers felt more motivated at work by being able to spend more time with their families or doing their leisure work.

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