How will it work?
We want to move towards the four day week being the standard work arrangement across the economy, with no loss of pay. This will look different for different companies and sectors. It won’t necessarily mean a ‘three day weekend’, but adopting new rostering and working arrangements that allow businesses to stay open 5 days a week – or even longer – while enabling every worker to have a shorter working week.
Why do we need it?
We want to start a public conversation in Ireland on the case for reduced working hours. We want to change the false narrative that working long hours is good for productivity and a badge of honour, challenge the worst excesses of the ‘work-first, always-on’ culture, and champion the importance of family time, leisure time, caring work and community work.
What are the benefits?
A shorter working week can bring benefits to everyone. For workers it means more time to themselves. For business it can actually bring greater productivity, as well as attracting the best talent. For women, a shorter working week can allow greater flexibility, supporting participation in the workforce. On a societal level, a four day week also supports us to take better care of our health, and can have a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon created by commuting, for example. The four day week is better for everyone, it’s time we made the change.
