In recent years, the global labour market has debated reducing working hours. But what is the reason for this movement? Technological advances have emerged a new understanding of productivity and quality of life, transforming how companies and governments manage working hours. Currently, several countries and companies worldwide are testing and adopting the 4 Day Week Global, and the movement is becoming a worldwide trend.
How did the concept of reduced working hours come about?
Reducing the working day has gained momentum recently, especially in Europe. In Iceland, for example, the world’s most significant pilot test of a 35 to 36-hour working week (instead of 40 hours) was carried out in 2015 without any requirement to reduce pay. Researchers and local unions considered the project a success and found that workers’ stress and burnout decreased and significantly improved their quality of life. The movement was later replicated in several countries, such as New Zealand (2018), and Japan (2021), recording increased productivity and employee well-being. Portugal has also tested the concept through a pilot project implemented in 41 companies involving more than 1,000 workers, reducing their weekly workload from 39.3 to 34 hours. The results were equally positive, with 95% of the participating companies reporting favourable results such as reduced exhaustion levels, improved sleep quality and a better work-life balance.
Spain is also currently discussing a proposal to reduce working hours to 37.5 per week, while in Brazil, the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) aims to reduce working hours from 44 to 36 per week, eliminating 6×1 working hours in strategic sectors such as health, services, and commerce.
What are the benefits of reduced working hours?
The results from countries that have adopted reduced working hours indicate several advantages, including:
- Increased productivity: Motivated workers tend to produce more in less time.
- Improved mental health: Reduced stress and increased job satisfaction.
- Sustainability: Reduced energy consumption and unnecessary travelling.
- Talent retention: Companies that adopt this model attract qualified professionals and reduce turnover.
How can we guarantee increased productivity?
Companies must quickly update by adopting technological solutions to optimise their workforce to cope with this trend. Workforce Management (WFM) tools can be the ‘key’ in this process, allowing organisations to effectively analyse shift distribution, overtime control, and overall team productivity.
José Pedro Fernandes, Vice President of SISQUAL® WFM, emphasises the importance of planning on the part of companies: ‘Changes such as reducing working hours can have a direct impact on a company’s results, both in terms of cost and productivity. That’s why a WFM tool is essential for simulating scenarios and preparing companies for any changes in labour legislation.’
SISQUAL® WFM offers a set of functionalities that simplify and automate workforce management through:
- Scenario simulation: Evaluates the impact of reducing working hours without compromising productivity
- Efficient shift management: Distributes employee shifts in a balanced way
- Overtime and absenteeism control: Avoids additional costs and improves operational predictability
Reduced working hours, combined with the more flexible shifts provided by WFM tools, allow employees to control their schedules and enjoy more family time, avoiding excessive exposure to ‘out-of-hours’ work. For example, the SISQUAL® Quality of Life APP allows employees to check their schedules and shifts, request holidays, and receive notifications in real-time, promoting greater autonomy and satisfaction in the workplace.
By implementing a more efficient management system, organisations can improve productivity without compromising their employees’ quality of life, achieve greater competitive value in the market, and, above all, guarantee benefits for both companies and employees.
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