Short Work Weeks: Does It Really Work? the figure!

Have you ever heard of a shorter working week? Well, surely the answer will be positive as it is a possibility which is gaining ground in more and more countries.

Not only have the governments of Spain and Denmark decided to experiment with this method, but Belgium and many other countries have as well.

In short, there is a possibility that abroad and withinThe European Union It seems to be gaining ground, in Italy it always seems to be a utopia.

Well, The advantages of this new method of work seem to be manifold, especially with regard to productivity.

In fact, despite the fact that people who take advantage of the shorter working week, objectively, work one less day, their productivity seems to stagnate, if not increase.

Ahead, In this way a lot of free time is available for better balance between personal life and work.

In short, workers can devote a large part of their time to travel, moments with family. All this leads to an increase in productivity according to previously available data.

In addition, there are also significant variations and advantages from an environmental point of view.

That Government Can the Italian evaluate this possibility? It is too early to say, but in the meantime, let’s analyze what is happening in other countries!

Short work week: this is the current situation!

Before going into detail about the benefits of implementing a shorter work week, let’s find out which countries have achieved (or are getting) the best results.

As we mentioned earlier, There are many European countries that have decided to experiment with this possibility to generate profit.For families and companies in general, both from an economic and productive point of view.

So, let’s find out what is happening in different countries with the application of the short work week and later, we will proceed with an overview of the benefits of this work method.

Short Work Week in Scotland: Here’s How It Works!

To analyze the effects of the shorter work week we begin with Scotland, The country in which the government has decided to start this methodology from 2021.

In short, Scottish workers who lent themselves to participating in the project were entitled to work four days a week, had more free time to devote to their hobbies and to their families.

Even the country’s officials and institutions have chosen to support the government’s decision to find out whether a shorter work week can actually make a difference.

Well, The working hours of employees of many companies and institutions who decided to participate in the project autonomously decreased by 20%.

result? Well, more free time and increased productivity.

In fact, according to interviews released directly by Scottish workers, two-thirds of these claim that the increase in productivity could be significant.

Belgium has also decided to try a shorter work week: why?

Still, we certainly cannot speak only of Scotland.

Actually, There was another country at the European level that decided to try out the benefits of implementing a short work week: we’re talking about Belgium!

Note: In chronological order we can say that Belgium was the last of the EU countries to approve this methodology.

Again this is a free choice of the employeeswho can independently choose whether to request a reduction in weekly working hours.

This possibility can always be taken advantage of. I will explain

Workers in Belgium have the possibility to choose how much to work from week to week in order to fully test the benefits of this new work method.

Obviously, the focus on labor reform is increasing rapidly, especially after the excellent results achieved by other countries.

In short, Belgium certainly does not want to lag behind with innovation in the workplace as well.

Iceland, Spain and the United Kingdom: The short work week experiment has started here too!

As we said at the beginning of our article, there are actually a number of countries that have decided to test the shorter work week to better understand whether it can really bring benefits.

The first was Iceland which conducted the test in the period between 2014 and 2019.

In short, in this case we can talk about some statistics.

likewise, The test was carried out again in the country in the period between 2017 and 2021.

But what were the consequences that caused Iceland to want to embrace this new and interesting way of working?

We have to mention only the welfare of the workers. In short, By having more free time, Icelandic workers had a better chance of finding work-life balance,

All this has resulted in greater productivity or in any case better quality of services provided.

We also had the case of Spain, where President Sanchez Wanted to test the short work week.

The change was aimed at improving the psychological conditions of workers following increasing episodes of burnout.

Note: When we talk about a shorter working week, the salary remains unchanged.

In a nutshell, this is how we try to do away with the age-old concept that sees pay as being exclusively commensurate with the hours worked.

In fact, what is the achievement of the objectives of the companies and consequently, productivity is far more important than the hours actually worked.

Ultimately, We should also mention the case of the United Kingdom where a project is currently starting to test short work weeks.

Is this Italy? What can we say about our country?

4-day work week: will this be a reality in Italy too?

As we know, the epidemic is associated with COVID-19 It has fundamentally changed the way we live and above all, the way we work.

There are many people who are struggling for more flexible working hours and environments, even in Italy.

However, going by the current situation and various statements by politicians it appears that the 4-day working week is still a utopia for our country.

Yet the mindset of many businesses is changing.

Revolution coming? What will happen impolite government, We’ll find out with time. In the meantime, we hope that we will be able to experience the benefits of the short work week here as well.

Short Work Week: Here Are the Benefits Highlights!

Well, The problems related to mental health are numerous. And, of course, they certainly haven’t decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a 4 day work week intended to help with this.

In fact, what we learn from data from countries that have tested this methodology is, Those who take advantage of a shorter work week have the opportunity to achieve a better work-life balance.

In this way, incidents related to burnout are reduced and productivity at work is increased.

In short, even though people who use this new work method work less than their colleagues, they often prove to be more productive.

Does this indicate that the 4-day work week is working? We must try it!