The debate on a 4-day work week has resumed in Scotland. After the Scottish Government in April announced its intention to allocate £10 million to fund tests at the company, the project has gained momentum with the publication of A survey of over 2,000 activists of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), a think-tank. Surveys show that for 80% of people reducing the number of work days, without a paycheck cut, favors personal well-being. In fact, 88% of those interviewed would be willing to participate in pilot projects While 65% believe that a shorter work week can boost Scotland’s productivity. The measure is particularly appreciated by young people, with 89 percent of respondents aged 16 to 44 in favor of the project.
? Weekend reading? Wish you had one more day this weekend? Or working time flexibility?
This week @IPPRScotland Made the case for reducing working hours, and found that 80% of Scots would support the introduction of a 4-day work week https://t.co/iaORve6oOv
— ippr (@ippr) September 4, 2021
Funds and Uses
Compared to the fund for companies experiencing fewer weeks – currently announced only by Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon – Ipr said the government should be committed to allocating funds to all sectors of the economy. Even those, such as manufacturing, where the transition to a four-day work week is more difficult. Rachel Statham, senior researcher at IPR Scotland, said: The Scottish Government is looking to experiment with a four-day workweek, as evidence from today shows that a policy with overwhelming public support, and building up, could be a positive step forward. Economy based on the well being of the people.
Iceland’s example
So Scotland can follow a path already discovered by Iceland where there is now literature on a 4-day work week. In fact, between 2015 and 2019 The short working week in Iceland was really tested with excellent results in terms of productivity. About two thousand workers have gone from a 40-hour week to one of 35 or 36 hours without any feedback on quality on the work front. The final report from the Icelandic experiment shed light on how employees felt less stressed, happier and more willing to work for the company.
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