A 4 day work week could transform millions of lives
Shifting to a 4 day work week with no loss of pay could transform millions of lives and improve workers’ rights in the UK, say the Scottish Greens.
The party has urged employers across the country to support the 4UGUST initiative by the 4 Day Week campaign and Autonomy think tank, by trialling a four day work week this month for their workers.
As part of the Bute House Agreement that saw the party entering government, the Scottish Greens won support for a series of four day week trials across different Scottish Government departments, and are urging other employers to do the same.
In October 2023 the UK government took steps to halt similar trials in local authorities in England, a decision that the Scottish Greens have urged Keir Starmer’s government to reverse.
The Scottish Greens have themselves already adopted a four day working week for party and parliamentary office staff, with positive results. Better work-life balance, less stress, and more control over their lives are just some of the benefits that staff have reported.
The party’s spokesperson for worker’s rights, Maggie Chapman MSP, said: “A four day week would transform work for millions of people. It could have huge benefits for the health and wellbeing of workers. And it could benefit employers and wider society too.
“There are four day week trials taking place in Scotland, and I hope that as many employers as possible will consider introducing a shorter work week. It is what we have done in the Scottish Greens and it has had huge benefits.
“By normalising a four day week without any loss of pay we can support and empower workers, allow them to spend more time with their families, friends and loved ones or on community and other interests. It can also help employers retain staff, manage sickness-absence better, and boost productivity.
“We know that there will be different challenges across different industries and sectors, which is why our governments need to work with trade unions and employers to help them in making the shift.
“August is a month that already has bank holidays, making it easier for employers to run trials.
“The Scottish Greens want to build the kind of society where people work to live rather than one where they are living to work. We believe in fair and rewarding work and good wages. The normalisation of a four day working week is an important step on that journey.”
The World Economic Forum recently noted that pilots of the four day working week in Spain increased productivity, improved the physical and mental health of workers and reduced CO2 emissions as a result of fewer cars being on the road during the working