Will the four-day work week become widespread in Europe?

Following the Covid crisis, questions related to time management in companies, new organisations and work rhythms have obviously gained importance. Among these issues, which were strongly revived by the pandemic, the 4-day working week was much talked about.

Its principle: the same salary, the same benefits and the same workload, but over four days instead of five. A practice that is giving rise to a real debate, as many trade unions across Europe are asking governments to consider integrating this four-day week. The reason is that it would be a source of satisfaction, work/life balance and performance for employees.

With hindsight, its application is a "success" according to its manager. Firstly, in human terms: "We have regained the time to live, to balance our lives and at the same time to enjoy them". And in terms of the company's performance: "A 6% growth, a 20% gain in profits and a negative balance between hiring and leaving", says Laurent de la Clergerie. This is proof of its efficiency and has aroused keen interest from other entities interested in this way of working.

It must be said that the pandemic has reshuffled the cards with changes in work organisations marked by a need for a better balance between personal and professional life, and a stronger sense of meaning given to work. It was therefore favourable to the acceleration of the four-day week.

Elsewhere, a six-month study has begun in the UK under the watchful eye of researchers. Volunteer companies are allowing their employees to work up to ten hours a day over a shorter week. The aim is to study the impact of this reduction in the number of days worked on productivity, the environment and the well-being of employees. In the same vein, another three-year experiment will take place in Spain with 6,000 employees of several SMEs.