The information bucks the development of shortening the workweek to 4 days, which analysis has proven advantages productiveness and worker well-being and satisfaction. Greece’s authorities suggests the transfer will assist with labor shortages, guarantee staff receives a commission for extra time and handle tax evasion points because it pertains to undeclared work. However employee advocates say that Greece’s new laws in all probability gained’t produce the specified outcomes and as an alternative may trigger unintended penalties reminiscent of excessive turnover, burnout, sickness and even loss of life.
“It positively appears like a step within the improper course and shortsighted,” mentioned Malissa Clark, director of the College of Georgia’s Wholesome Work Lab, which research work-life stability. “We all know lengthy work hours are detrimental to worker well being.”
Within the U.S., 77 p.c of staff consider a four-day, 40-hour workweek would have an especially or considerably optimistic impact on their well-being, in line with a current Gallup survey. U.S. corporations which have piloted or adopted shortened workweeks say they’ve seen the advantages.
In lots of elements of Asia and different creating nations, a six-day work week is routine. However globally, extra nations are additionally slashing hours. France is among the many most up-to-date nations to pilot a four-day workweek, whereas Belgium turned the primary nation to formally approve the shortened week again in 2022. Different nations which have been experimenting with the four-day workweek embody Iceland, Japan and South Africa.
However hurdles to the vast adoption of the shorter week persist as many fear about staffing points, potential productiveness drops, elevated prices and complicated modifications to operations.
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Greece’s transfer goes in opposition to a lot analysis that exhibits rising hours truly hurts productiveness reasonably than boosts it, mentioned Brigid Schulte, director of the work-family justice program Higher Life Lab at assume tank New America. As a substitute, rising hours typically results in staff making extra errors, being slower on duties, and affected by exhaustion, stress and sickness.
“The proof can be within the proof,” Schulte mentioned. “If abruptly Greece turns round its financial system, possibly folks will take a re-evaluation. However I don’t assume that may occur.”
Schulte additionally mentioned insurance policies like this typically damage caregivers and girls, which then lowers worker and management variety and will increase the gender pay hole.
Greece’s laws opens the door to permitting folks to work a 48-hour workweek however doesn’t require it. And European Union legal guidelines require employers to make sure workers don’t exceed 48 hours per week on common, together with extra time. However Clark says Greece’s laws solely creates the notion of selection as a result of the rise in pay incentivizes folks to work longer.
“You’re making it troublesome to show [the pay] down,” she mentioned. “Additionally what are the norms and expectations going to be within the group?”
Whereas Greece goes in opposition to the grain and adoption of the shorter workweek has been gradual, Schulte and Clark say future tendencies in all probability point out fewer working hours versus extra. Corporations will proceed studying find out how to make their processes extra environment friendly, leverage tech and uncover the advantages to staff and earnings, they predict.
“It’s like an organizational excellence mission in disguise,” Schulte mentioned. “Shorter work hours is best for enterprise, folks and the financial system, for those who do it proper.”
What do you assume the workweek ought to seem like? Let me know at danielle.abril@washpost.com.
