Four-day work week to be trialed in Scotland

Earlier this year, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon pledged to trial four-day working weeks similar to schemes devised in Spain and Iceland among other countries.

80% in favour

Research conducted by the think tank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland found that an overwhelming amount of Scots were in favour of working four days and resting three every week. 80% of people involved in the study expressed that reducing the amount of time of labour on a weekly basis—without losing income—would have a positive effect on their personal well-being. What's more, 88% agreed to volunteer in trial schemes currently being set up by ministers at Holyrood.

Now, the plan is going ahead as reports have come out detailing the logistics of how Scots will transition from five to four days of work per week.

More flexible, better well-being

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, more and more Scottish companies have had to learn to adapt to more flexible schedules which has led the SNP to fund £10 million for companies trialling a four-day week. Rachel Statham, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, explained that:

The Scottish Government is right to be trialling a four-day working week because today's evidence shows that it is a policy with overwhelming public support, and could be a positive step towards building an economy hardwired for wellbeing.

But any successful transition post-Covid-19 must include all kinds of workplaces, and all types of work. The full-time, nine-to-five office job is not how many people across Scotland work - and shorter working time trials need to reflect that reality.

And added:

So we must examine what shorter working time looks like from the perspective of shift workers, those working excessive hours to make ends meet, or those who currently have fewer hours than they would like to have.