Trade unions across Europe are calling for governments to implement it.

The scope is to keep the same results and salary with less working time.

The countries that are already testing it, are:

  • Germany: In February 2024, 45 companies started a pilot project to experiment for the following 6 months. The country has one of the shortest working weeks of Europe with an average of 34.2 hours per week. The program is used only for companies whose work can be adapted to a shorter workweek.  
  • Belgium: Only the employees who agree to it are using it. It is the first country of Europe which implemented it. That was in February 2022.
  • Portugal: The country still trials the 4-day workweek. 
  • UK: The trial is hailed as successful. Many companies involved productivity and well-being of workers. 92% of the companies which tested it, will keep it.

Similar programs exist at:

  • Scotland, Wales and Ireland
  • USA and Canada
  • Australia and New Zealand
  • Sweden (tested it in 2015 with mixed results)
  • Iceland
  • Spain
  • Japan

[Source: www.euronews.com]