Wales will soon implement a four-day working week to promote healthier and happier workplaces as well as businesses.
The Future Generations Commission wants the Welsh government to trial a 32-hour week. According to commissioner Sophie Howe, cutting hours but paying the same could retain staff and increase productivity.
The progress of trials in other countries is being considered by the Welsh government. However, it can only implement changes in the public sector.
Howe wants a "national conversation" about working less and it is potential to improve people's wellbeing. She acknowledges the various difficulties that other sectors may undergo but she said "let's try it".
According to BBC, high levels of sickness and relatively low productivity have been a problem in the workforce of Wales. The country also has lower wages compared to other areas of the United Kingdom.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought many restrictions that forced companies to make adjustments to sustain their operations. More jobs have become automated and the trend is expected to continue at a fast pace.
The Future Generations Commission suggests that subtracting working hours while retaining wages will help lessen absenteeism and boost productivity. Moreover, healthier people would lessen the pressure on the health care system of the country.
Although four-day workweeks are rare in US companies, there is a growing interest in the concept according to a report by NBC News.
US Companies Considering Shortened Workweek
In the USA, 35 companies will implement the shortened workweek scheme by April in an attempt to promote work-life balance among the American workforce. The initiative is part of the nonprofit 4 Day Week Global, which is now running a pilot program in Ireland and will begin in the United Kingdom in June.
The founder of 4 Day Week Global, Andrew Barnes, said that the "next cohort of businesses trialing the model in North America" is paving the way for the "future of work" after the progress achieved in organizations and businesses in New Zealand, Spain, Japan, Ireland, and Scotland, as per Forbes.
Proposal Now In Congress
Democratic Congressman Mark Takano lately filed a legislation that aim to cut down the standard weekly working hours from 40 hours to 32 hours. The lawmaker argues that a shorter workweek is a win-win situation for both business owners and employees.
"Pilot programs run by governments and businesses across the globe have shown promising results, as productivity climbed and workers reported better work-life balance, less need to take sick days, heightened morale and lower childcare expenses because they had more time with their family and children," Takano said in a press statement.
He added that shorter workweeks benefit employers for they help further decrease healthcare premiums, as well as lower operational costs for businesses, and have a positive environmental impact, based on studies.
Employees who work more than 32 hours a week will be eligible for overtime pay under his proposal.
It is expected to see campaigns for shortened workweeks, as well as flexible working schemes, increase in remote-work set-up offers, hybrid model and other models, to help companies achieve increased happiness and productivity among their workforce as well-treated employees are more likely to render excellent job that will increase the company's productivity and earnings.
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