The test of a four-day work week in Iceland has shown an “amazing success,” and has led to most of the employees working less hours and being more content.
In the trials, the workers were paid the same wages for a shorter working-day. The study was dine between 2015 and 2019.
Results From 4 Day Work Week
According to the researchers, the productivity in the workplace had remained at the same level, or even saw upward growth in many workspaces.
There have been many other similar workplace studies that are currently happening all over the world, including in Spain, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Iceland, the research was carried out by the Reykjavík City Council in collaboration with the national government. It spanned more than 2500 employees which is estimated to be around 1% of the Icelandic population.
Shorter Working Hours
The study had been done in a variety of industries, including day nursery, corporate offices, social service providers, and in hospitals.
Many of them have moved on from a tiring and lengthy 40-hour workweek to a shortened 35 or a 36-hour working week, according to scientists from the BRITISH think-tank.
Owing to these studies, the trade unions have started demanding a change in work patterns.
86% of Iceland’s population has demanded to or has already moved to a shorter working-day for the same pay, the researchers conclude.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
Employees have reported feeling less stressed, and lesser at the risk of ‘burn-out’ and went on to say that their health and work-life balance has improved.
They also reported spending more time with their family, and doing their favorite hobbies.
What Are Other Countries Doing?
Australia should also pay heed to such new initiatives and try to experiment new things to make the workplace a better space. Some examples could be as follows:
Spain is all set to test out a four days work per wee, in part due to coronavirus issues that are prevalent in the country.
The consumer giant Unilever is also set to provide employees in New Zealand the chance to cut their day’s work down to 20% without causing any damage to their earnings
In May, a report commissioned by the 4-day-per-week campaign even stated that the reduction of working hours can aide the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the entire United Kingdom.
