Four-day workweek: Pilot program in Portugal reduces depression and anxiety

Employees participating in the pilot program launched by the government in Portugal in June are satisfied with working 4 days a week without a reduction in their salaries.

Portugal, which has launched the 4-day workweek—a topic that has been on the agenda in various countries for the last few years—as a pilot in 41 companies with a total of approximately one thousand employees, aims to strengthen the bonds between work and family and increase productivity in workplaces.

In a survey conducted among employees participating in the pilot program in the country since June, it was determined that stress and insomnia problems decreased by 21 percent.

In the survey commissioned by the government to two universities to monitor the progress of the project, it was stated that the rate of those who think it is "difficult" or "very difficult" to balance home and work life dropped from 46 percent to 8 percent.

According to the data obtained in the report on the survey, it was reported that among employees in companies participating in the pilot program, anxiety, tension, and depressive states decreased by 21 percent, fatigue by 23 percent, and feelings of loneliness by 14 percent.

Furthermore, it was noted that 65 percent of employees stated they spend more time with their families, and the rate of those who allocate more time to hobbies and interests reached 60 percent.

It was stated that the companies participating in the pilot program reduced the previously weekly working hours of 41.5 by approximately 12 percent to 36.5 hours and did not make any changes to their employees' salaries.

Information was shared that companies determined the day off for their employees according to their operations, and contrary to what was thought, the rate of those choosing Friday was only 20 percent, with Monday being the most preferred day.

Pedro Gomes, an Economics Professor at the University of London from the research group, pointed out that there are some difficulties in adapting to the new work system.

"MANY HABITS NEED TO BE CHANGED"

Pointing out that some changes need to be made to prevent time loss in order to increase productivity in the new working hours, Gomes assessed, "Many habits such as long coffee or lunch breaks, arriving late to meetings, or interrupting colleagues to talk about football need to be changed."

Gomes also stated that nearly 60 percent of those in leadership positions in the companies participating in the pilot program are women, whereas in reality, this rate remains at 27 percent in the working world in Portugal.

Although 95 percent of the companies involved in the pilot program state that they currently find this system beneficial, it was noted that the research will be completed in April 2024.

In Europe, work systems similar to the one in Portugal are also being implemented in some countries such as Belgium, Iceland, or partially in France. The left-wing coalition government in Spain plans to reduce the 40-hour weekly working time to 37.5 in 2025.