Four-day working week trial launched today in Ireland
Could this be the future?
Last updated 22nd Jun 2021
Prior to the pandemic, a number of companies around the world have experimented with a four-day workweek. Now that we’re considering what the new work world will look like post-Covid-19, the topic is resurfacing.
A new pilot programme for employers to test the effectiveness of a four-day working week for staff with no loss of pay launched today in Ireland.
This is part of the rapidly-growing 'better4everyone' campaign from Four Day Week Ireland.
Four Day Week Ireland say that the six-month system would lead to a better work/life balance and to increased company productivity.
This past year has provided workers and employers with an opportunity to consider the way they work, leading many to rethink and alter how they do things, including the possibility of playing with their office/home ratio.
The six-month experiment will test the benefits of a four-day working week with the aim of delivering consistent output with no loss of pay.
It won’t necessarily mean a three-day weekend, but adopting new rostering and working arrangements that allow businesses to stay open 5 days a week – or even longer – while enabling every worker to have a shorter working week.
Under the plan, organisations will receive supports, training and mentoring on how to make the concept operate smoothly.
The Spanish government announced earlier this year they will experiment with a trial period, agreeing to a 32-hour workweek over three years, without cutting workers’ compensation.
While the programme launches today, the pilot itself will begin in January, with companies in the US, UK and New Zealand also taking part.
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