Reducing the working week by one day, with the same pay, is gaining traction in Europe, Fortune reports, with some organisations adopting the policy to attract talent. Trials show it can lead to more rested and less stressed workers. But a four-day week for all might still be some time away. While shorter working weeks might be a realistic prospect in sectors that can automate part of the work, think factories or offices, it’s a different story if you’re working in services or in sectors with staff shortages. Whether part-time staff and senior executives should similarly earn the right to work fewer hours for the same pay might be another issue to resolve for firms considering a four-day week.
- In a government-sponsored four-day week pilot in Portugal among 41 companies, 80% of administrators found the change to be “financially neutral”.
- A new four-day week pilot project is due to launch in the UKin November. It will aim to incorporate a range of flexible working options, such as moveable start and finish times, compressed hours, and nine-day fortnights.
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