About four years ago, the government in Reykjavik, Iceland, began an experiment and introduced the so-called four-day week. It was originally tested on 2,500 people. More than 86% of employees in the country are now allowed to request a reduction in working hours. However, reduced working hours does not mean lower wages - all employees receive their full salary. The aim of the study: to find out whether reduced working hours have a positive effect on themental healthand impacts productivity.
Shortened Working Hours: The Experiment in Iceland
As part of the study, working hours were reduced to 36 hours per week. Each company was able to decide for itself how exactly working hours would be shortened on a daily basis. In some cases people worked until midday on Fridays, in other cases they started the working day later and ended earlier. Sometimes working hours were reduced only on certain days.
Now the government has itfirst test resultsannounced. And they are promising.
- The employees actually worked less. This means that employers did not have to pay overtime.
- Employees worked more focused and were more productive despite reduced working hours.
- With the exception of the healthcare sector, the changes to working hours were introduced without additional costs (e.g. for more staff).
- The employees were significantly less stressed.
- Employees were able to use their free time much more effectively - for example, shopping or doing other daily tasks.
- Men in heterosexual relationships helped more around the house.
- Single mothers or fathers had more time for their children.
- The participants had more time for their families, for sports and for hobbies.
- Companies that had shorter working hours became more attractive to job seekers.
This study is not the first to demonstrate the connection between productivity and hours worked. People who work shorter hours are relaxed, well-rested and generally healthier. According to the researchers, it is very important that an employee no longer thinks about work after the end of the working day. The employees who no longer think about work after work can work more concentrated the next day and suffer significantlyless likely to suffer from burnout.
