A new bill was introduced in the United States Senate early this year to reduce the standard workweek to four days while maintaining the same pay for five days. This could have a significant impact on how Americans work, and Canada should pay attention.
Many countries have a four-day workweek, including Denmark, Australia, the United Kingdom and others support it.
An increasing number of international trials and research have confirmed the benefits of this workweek strategy.
The Canadian bill, known as the Four-Day Work Week Act, 2022 (Bill 55), passed its first reading in 2022 and was ordered for a second reading, but no action has been taken so far. Now, however, is the best time for Canada to follow through on the bill and implement this workweek strategy.
Talent.com, a job search platform with over 30 million job listings in 75 countries, reports as of 2023, 93 per cent of Canadians were interested in the four-day workweek, which has been shown to improve productivity, efficiency, mental health and work-life balance.
A four-day workweek increases employee productivity and, in many cases, helps employees become more efficient. Microsoft Japan, for example, had its productivity increase by 40 per cent in 2019 after adopting a four-day workweek. This happened because fewer meetings were held, employees had more time to focus on work and they were more motivated to complete tasks faster.
In the UK, 51 per cent of the companies that tried a four-day workweek decided to keep it as it showed working fewer hours can lead to better results and happier workers.
The world’s most extensive survey, Gallup 2021, suggests working five days can cause stress and burnout. It was also discovered people who work longer hours are more exhausted.
Companies and countries which adopted a four-day workweek have reported lower burnout and stress levels, leading to improved mental health and increased motivation, creativity and engagement at work.
According to the UK’s four-day workweek trial, 71 per cent of employees’ physical and mental health had improved by the end of the trial. Adopting this change may help address mental health concerns, since one in five Canadians suffers from a mental illness.
A reduced workweek enhances work-life balance; 78 per cent employees reported this, according to Drive Research. In addition, a 2019 study at Henley Business School reports employees who work fewer days tend to be happier, have better relationships with their families and have more time for hobbies.
With 93 per cent of Canadians expressing interest in a four-day workweek and compelling evidence from global trials demonstrating its benefits, now is the time for Canada to pass the Four-Day Work Week Act (Bill 55).
Canada needs to consider making this change because it can lead to a more productive, efficient and mentally robust workforce.
The need is obvious, the benefits are undeniable and the time is now.