The four-day work week debate continues to divide opinion. Supporters point to the Dutch work model as proof that shorter work weeks can succeed, while critics argue the Netherlands has struggled with productivity challenges for years. The discussion highlights broader tensions between work-life balance and economic output.


Four-Day Work Week Reality Check: Dutch Model Praised, Productivity Questions Raised | WION 

In Japan, at least 54 people die annually because of overwork, revealed a government white paper. The societal attitude is such that working overtime and for longer hours is considered cool in Japan, leading to the problem of “karoshi,” which means “death from overwork” in Japanese.

Now, the Japanese government is pushing for a major change. It’s asking its companies and employees to follow a four-day workweek model. The model was first backed by lawmakers in 2021 but today only eight&nbsp;per cent of Japanese companies allow their employees to take at least three days off a week.

Data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reveal that seven per cent of companies offer just legally mandated one day off per week.

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The government’s “work style reform” campaign focuses on promoting shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave. The ministry said it was also open to offering free consulting, grants and a growing library of success stories as further motivation.

“By realizing a society in which workers can choose from a variety of working styles based on their circumstances, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enable each and every worker to have a better outlook for the future,” the ministry wrote on its website.

<h2>Overwork problem in Japan</h2>

It’s considered a taboo to go on vacations in Japan. Employees take&nbsp;offs on those days when their colleagues are also absent, typically during the Bon holidays in the summer and around New Year, so that no one can accuse them of being uncaring.

As of now, 85 per cent of workers report getting two weekly offs but challenges remain regarding overtime hours.

The government thinks that this problem of overworking is leading to another major problem which can prove to be devastating for the Japanese economy: Declining birth rate.

The working-age population is expected to decline 40 per cent to 45 million people in 2065, from the current 74 million, according to government data.

By promoting healthy work-life balance, the government hopes to shore up birth rates and address concerns regarding the working-age population.

(With inputs from agencies)

In Japan, at least 54 people die annually because of overwork, revealed a government white paper. The societal attitude is such that working overtime and for longer hours is considered cool in Japan, leading to the problem of “karoshi,” which means “death from overwork” in Japanese.

In Japan, at least 54 people die annually because of overwork, revealed a government white paper. The societal attitude is such that working overtime and for longer hours is considered cool in Japan, leading to the problem of “karoshi,” which means “death from overwork” in Japanese. Now, the Japanese government is pushing for a major change. It’s asking its companies and employees to follow a four-day workweek model. The model was first backed by lawmakers in 2021 but today only eight per cent of Japanese companies allow their employees to take at least three days off a week. Data from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reveal that seven per cent of companies offer just legally mandated one day off per week. Also read: Typhoon Shanshan lashes Japan, killing four and injuring dozens The government’s “work style reform” campaign focuses on promoting shorter hours and other flexible arrangements along with overtime limits and paid annual leave. The ministry said it was also open to offering free consulting, grants and a growing library of success stories as further motivation. “By realizing a society in which workers can choose from a variety of working styles based on their circumstances, we aim to create a virtuous cycle of growth and distribution and enable each and every worker to have a better outlook for the future,” the ministry wrote on its website. Overwork problem in Japan It’s considered a taboo to go on vacations in Japan. Employees take offs on those days when their colleagues are also absent, typically during the Bon holidays in the summer and around New Year, so that no one can accuse them of being uncaring. As of now, 85 per cent of workers report getting two weekly offs but challenges remain regarding overtime hours. The government thinks that this problem of overworking is leading to another major problem which can prove to be devastating for the Japanese economy: Declining birth rate. The working-age population is expected to decline 40 per cent to 45 million people in 2065, from the current 74 million, according to government data. By promoting healthy work-life balance, the government hopes to shore up birth rates and address concerns regarding the working-age population. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan pushes for four-day work week to boost declining birth rate

Covid-19 has transformed the way we used to live our lives; it has divided our timeline into pre- and post-Covid-19 eras. One thing that has changed drastically is our work culture. Working six days per week to five days per week,&nbsp;and working from home during the pandemic&nbsp;has made us all realise that work culture can be altered as per changing times and that nothing is rigid.&nbsp;

With major companies like Amazon, Disney, Salesforce, and Meta trying to call their employees back to office, the corporate world is grappling with a big question: Are we ever returning to the office five days a week?

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-videos-of-slap-kabbadi-from-pakistan-are-going-viral-but-what-is-this-sport-612515">Watch | Videos of 'slap kabaddi' from Pakistan are going viral. But what is this sport?</a>

A few companies already started a four-day work week for their employees, with increased working hours from 8 hours a day to 12 hours per day on working days.&nbsp;

A report published by Business Insider last year quoted Steven Roth, the chairman of Vornado, one of New York’s biggest private landlords, as saying that Mondays in the office are “touch-and-go” and Fridays are likely “dead forever”.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a report from Placer.ai, a firm that tracks mobile-phone data from 800 sites across the US, found that those who come to the office are indeed more likely to do so in the middle of the week. They appear to be avoiding the workplace on Mondays and Fridays, according to the data.

<h2>No working Mondays and Fridays?</h2>

The Business Insider started a poll on LinkedIn, to see if people agreed with the stats. It asked in the poll, “Given the choice, do you go to the office on Mondays and Fridays?” with three options:

Yes, Mondays and Fridays

No, either Mondays or Fridays

No, neither day&nbsp;

As of Monday, just over 16,000 people had already responded, and the results validate Roth’s contention and the Placer.ai data. Though this was not a scientific method, of course, it provided an interesting insight into what people actually think.&nbsp;

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A little less than half of the respondents said they wouldn't go to the office on Mondays and Fridays. Another 29 per cent said they would go either on Monday or Friday, but not both. And only 22 per cent said that given the choice they would go both Mondays and Fridays.

<h2>Few people want to work on Monday, Friday, or both days.&nbsp;But why?</h2>

An academic administrator wrote on Insider’s LinkedIn post telling why he wants to work on Friday and Monday, “the commute is easier on both days because fewer people work those days, it's more peaceful in coffee shops as well."

And an academic based in the UK agreed on the ease of a Friday commute, "Love working Fridays ... nice and quiet and commute is easy. Also a sense of relaxation as the weekend approaches," he wrote. "Hate Monday working though, for the converse reasons."

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The majority of the people agree on a four-day or five-day hybrid workweek. A four-day workweek seems a long way away for most US workers, but&nbsp;less than half are coming to the office.

Kastle Systems, which tracks when employees swipe their badges at office entrances, found that the average office occupancy rates across the week for the country's 10 major metro areas were just under 50 per cent for the weeks beginning June 14 and June 21.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Covid-19 has transformed the way we used to live our lives; it has divided our timeline into pre- and post-Covid-19 eras. One thing that has changed drastically is our work culture.

Covid-19 has transformed the way we used to live our lives; it has divided our timeline into pre- and post-Covid-19 eras. One thing that has changed drastically is our work culture. Working six days per week to five days per week, and working from home during the pandemic has made us all realise that work culture can be altered as per changing times and that nothing is rigid. With major companies like Amazon, Disney, Salesforce, and Meta trying to call their employees back to office, the corporate world is grappling with a big question: Are we ever returning to the office five days a week? Also Read | Watch | Videos of 'slap kabaddi' from Pakistan are going viral. But what is this sport? A few companies already started a four-day work week for their employees, with increased working hours from 8 hours a day to 12 hours per day on working days. A report published by Business Insider last year quoted Steven Roth, the chairman of Vornado, one of New York’s biggest private landlords, as saying that Mondays in the office are “touch-and-go” and Fridays are likely “dead forever”. Meanwhile, a report from Placer.ai, a firm that tracks mobile-phone data from 800 sites across the US, found that those who come to the office are indeed more likely to do so in the middle of the week. They appear to be avoiding the workplace on Mondays and Fridays, according to the data. No working Mondays and Fridays? The Business Insider started a poll on LinkedIn, to see if people agreed with the stats. It asked in the poll, “Given the choice, do you go to the office on Mondays and Fridays?” with three options: Yes, Mondays and Fridays No, either Mondays or Fridays No, neither day As of Monday, just over 16,000 people had already responded, and the results validate Roth’s contention and the Placer.ai data. Though this was not a scientific method, of course, it provided an interesting insight into what people actually think. Also Read | VIDEO: Armed rapper sentenced to eight years in jail following dramatic police chase in London A little less than half of the respondents said they wouldn't go to the office on Mondays and Fridays. Another 29 per cent said they would go either on Monday or Friday, but not both. And only 22 per cent said that given the choice they would go both Mondays and Fridays. Few people want to work on Monday, Friday, or both days. But why? An academic administrator wrote on Insider’s LinkedIn post telling why he wants to work on Friday and Monday, “the commute is easier on both days because fewer people work those days, it's more peaceful in coffee shops as well." And an academic based in the UK agreed on the ease of a Friday commute, "Love working Fridays ... nice and quiet and commute is easy. Also a sense of relaxation as the weekend approaches," he wrote. "Hate Monday working though, for the converse reasons." Also Read | Indian-origin man, who hatched 'plot to kill' Queen Elizabeth, was encouraged by AI girlfriend The majority of the people agree on a four-day or five-day hybrid workweek. A four-day workweek seems a long way away for most US workers, but less than half are coming to the office. Kastle Systems, which tracks when employees swipe their badges at office entrances, found that the average office occupancy rates across the week for the country's 10 major metro areas were just under 50 per cent for the weeks beginning June 14 and June 21. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

No working Mondays and Fridays? Here's what most people think

In a bid to improve the quality of life, Chilean lawmakers on Tuesday (April 11) passed a legislation reducing the work week from 45 to 40 hours. The measure was brought in the lower house of Chile's Congress and passed by a 127 to 14 margin, after having been unanimously approved by the Senate a few weeks ago.

In a bid to improve the quality of life, Chilean lawmakers on Tuesday (April 11) passed a legislation reducing the work week from 45 to 40 hours. The measure was brought in the lower house of Chile's Congress and passed by a 127 to 14 margin, after having been unanimously approved by the Senate a few weeks ago. The new law mandates starting with one less hour a week of work per year until the work week reaches 40 hours. The mandate has been accepted by the service sector as companies such as state-owned copper giant Codelco said they would implement the 40-hour work week by 2026. Notably, Latin America has some of the longest working weeks in the world. Workers in countries like Mexico, Panama, Peru and Argentina have to work a back-breaking 48 hours a week while people in Brazil have to endure 44 hours. Only the South American nation of Ecuador is the aberration where a 40-hour work week is in place. Chile’s left-wing President Gabriel Boric hailed the passing of the legislation as a win for his government by terming it a 'pro-family' project. "Approved #40Hours! After many years adding support and dialogue, today we can finally celebrate the approval of this project that reduces working hours, a pro-family project that aims at the good living of all," tweeted Boric. Aprobadas las #40Horas! Tras muchos años sumando apoyo y dialogando, hoy por fin podemos celebrar la aprobación de este proyecto que reduce la jornada laboral, un proyecto profamilia que apunta al buen vivir de todas y todos. pic.twitter.com/oIE0yiSkRp — Gabriel Boric Font (@GabrielBoric) April 11, 2023 × It was a much-needed victory for Boric who assumed office last year and since then has suffered several setbacks. The voters rejected his vision of writing the country's constitution while a key tax bill also faced defeat in Congress. WATCH | Is the four-day work week here to stay? × “This is a project that will contribute enormously to our quality of life. Yes, changes can be made to advance workers’ right," said Labor Minister Jeannette Jara. Countries mulling to reduce working hours The passing of the bill comes in the backdrop of several countries around the world debating and experimenting with reducing the weekly work hours. A study conducted by Boston College and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge last year stated that nine in 10 companies in the UK were willing to extend the four-day workweek policy beyond the initial six-month test period. ALSO READ | Four-day working week receives thumbs-up from 86% of trial companies: Study One of the most important and interesting key findings of the study was that the productivity of the employees was maintained during the trial period. Additionally, the employees were also less likely to quit their jobs, in view of the satisfactory work-life balance. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Chile passes legislation reducing work week to 40 hours from 45

Chile has come up with a new plan it aims to reduce work week from 45 to 40 hours. What kind of repercussions will this have on the work productivity and if a working mechanism like this is practical for a country like India. We answer all these questions in this episode of WION conversation.

India: The future of workspace

Here's something which generates a lot of curiosity, how many days do you work in a week? The usual five days? Well, in most parts of the world, the work week is from Monday to Friday. But, a study now reveals that a four-day work week is more productive.

Are you ready for a four-day work week? Trial really positive, says study

After a successful 18-month pilot in New Zealand, consumer goods giant Unilever is expanding its trial of 4-day working week to Australian employees now, Australian trial will begin on November 14 while New Zealand experiment will also continue.

WION Business News | Unilever expands 4-day work week to Australia