The Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and Sumar have agreed to reduce the regular workweek from 40 hours to 37.5 hours this legislature. If the government gains the support of the majority of Congress and the measure goes through, it will benefit 12 million private sector employees in Spain. This move is part of a trend in many countries experimenting with reducing working hours to assess its impact on work, productivity, and the economy. Economic experts Joan Sanchís and María Jesús Fernández discuss the benefits and challenges of legally reducing the workweek to four days.
Joan Sanchis i Muñoz highlights the historical context of the eight-hour workday established over a century ago by Henry Ford, and the need to adapt to the changing globalized, digital, and service-based work environment. Despite technological advancements increasing productivity, the standard 40-hour workweek has eroded, leading to longer and more intense work hours in Spain. This has resulted in lower productivity compared to other European countries, impacting workers’ health. Transitioning towards a shorter workweek is seen as necessary for a work-life balance and healthier, competitive companies.
The success of a shorter workweek model hinges on a balance between business interests and worker needs. Companies need to maintain salaries while employees commit to accomplishing the same amount of work in less time. This shift requires support measures, new work methodologies, and financial assistance. Pilot programs in various countries have demonstrated the benefits of a four-day workweek in improving results, attracting talent, and providing time for personal activities. However, implementing this model also comes with risks, such as compressed work hours and potential covert salary reductions.
María Jesús Fernández discusses the challenges of legally mandating reduced work hours, emphasizing that productivity is crucial before implementing such measures. Decreasing work hours without lowering wages could reduce competitiveness and lead to price hikes or reduced services, particularly impacting smaller businesses. Spain’s low productivity levels make it important to prioritize productivity enhancements before progressing with a generalized reduction in work hours. Strategies to increase productivity should involve improving education, training, and regulatory efficiency.
Fernández argues that while reducing the workweek may be feasible in certain sectors through negotiation, it should progress naturally based on individual circumstances and competitive conditions. Rather than imposing strict regulations, a focus on rationalizing work hours and negotiating adaptations to specific circumstances is crucial. Intervening with decrees and excessive regulation in the economy may disrupt the natural evolution of the labor market. She stresses the importance of allowing the economy to evolve at its own pace and removing obstacles that hinder this process.
Overall, the debate on reducing work hours reflects a broader conversation on work-life balance, productivity, and economic competitiveness. While a shorter workweek may benefit workers’ well-being and company performance, ensuring it aligns with productivity improvements and sector-specific conditions is essential. Negotiation and adaptation to individual circumstances, rather than blanket regulations, are seen as more effective approaches to achieving a sustainable transition towards shorter work hours.
