Moneycontrol News January 30, 2024
Images: Unsplash
After the Covid-19 pandemic, several countries have been encouraging companies to adopt a 4-day work week to encourage a good work-life balance among employees.
In 2022, Belgium announced an optional 4-week work day and became the first country in the European Union to do so. But, there was one condition -- the total working hours in the week should remain the same at 40.
Although Denmark does not have an official 4-day work week mandate, it has the second shortest working hours per week at 33 hours. People there generally work for only four days per week, the Times of India reported.
Companies in Australia have now begun to offer a 4-day work week with about 20 firms running it on a pilot. Employees are expected to work 38 hours per week.
To prevent death by overwork or 'karoshi' -- a common occurrence in Japan -- the government is encouraging companies to opt for a 4-day work week in the country.
In 2022, the UK kicked off a 4-day work week in which employees were allowed to work for a maximum of 48 hours a week. Sixty-one companies and over 300 employees participated in the pilot run.