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Spain Is Launching A Trial Of A Four-Day Working Week

Spain Is Launching A Trial Of A Four-Day Working Week

Several countries have considered implementing the four-day working week.

Jessica Lynch

Jessica Lynch

Spain is set to become one of the first countries in the world to trial a four-day working week.

It's an optional initiative and it's open to all companies who are willing to take part.

Deputy Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, said in December that he would look into the proposal put forward by leftwing party, Más País.

Iñigo Errejón of Más País praised the move on Twitter, writing: "With the four-day work week (32 hours), we're launching into the real debate of our times. It's an idea whose time has come."

While specific details are yet to be confirmed, companies that trial the scheme will reportedly have costs covered at 100 per cent for the first year, falling to 50 percent for the second year and 33 per cent for the third.

Pixabay

The plan comes following a study conducted by Trades Union Congress in 2019 which found that those in countries with shorter working weeks are more productive.

Spain isn't the only country to express interest in implementing a shorter working week.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has also previously suggested a four-day work week as a potential way to get Kiwis out into the local area and kickstarting the community.

"I hear lots of people suggesting we should have a four-day work week," she said in a Facebook live video last year.

"Ultimately, that really sits between employers and employees. But as I've said there's just so much we've learnt about Covid and that flexibility of people working from home, the productivity that can be driven out of that.

"Think about if that's something that would work for your workplace, because it certainly would help tourism all around the country."

It seems that Aussie workers would also be on board with the idea, with more than four thousand people responding to LADbible Australia's Facebook page poll and the overwhelming majority voting in favour of it.

Nearly 80 per cent of voters believed it is a good idea, with loads of people loving the idea of a three day weekend.

Facebook

The proposal wouldn't involve taking a pay cut because of the one less day but would require staff to work an extra two hours each day to make up the typical 40 hour week.

One person wrote: "Would much rather do four 10 hour days than five 8 hour days."

Another added: "I currently work a nine-day fortnight and it's the best thing having the extra day off every second weekend. Have noticed changes in my mental health since I switched to the nine-day fortnight."

A third said: "I can't see why working a standard 40 hr week in four days instead of five would be a problem. Most companies push that anyway so if workers want the overtime, they can tell their boss they will work the Friday."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Work, Spain