Working shorter time increases productivity but not everywhere: PIE
22:52
The advantages of shorter working hours are not only social but also economic changes. In countries where people work less, productivity is higher. This phenomenon is explained by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), a public economic think tank.
The relationship between working time and productivity is shaped by factors such as the high level of industrialization and technological development or the high rate of investment in the economy. The availability of part-time work is also a key factor. It is greater in countries with higher professional activity. This is where it is easiest to effectively shorten the working time so that it brings benefits for both employees and the economy.
The best-known practice of shortening working time is the use of a 4-day working week, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by more and more empirical evidence.
In 2015-2019, 2,500 Icelandic employees, i.e. over 1% of all people working in the country's economy took part in the experiment with a 4-day working week. It turned out that the productivity of the economy not only did not decline but even increased. In addition, the well-being of employees has improved significantly.
PIE warns, however, that on the basis of the international experience to date, it is not necessarily possible to draw conclusions for other countries, such as for example, Poland.
