More people in Wales could be working a four-day week after the country’s Commissioner for Future Generations, Sophie Howe called on the Government to launch a shorter working week trial in the public sector.
Ms Howe (pictured), a Government official whose role is to protect the interests of future generations, said the Public Service should lead the way and inspire other businesses to follow suit.
She acknowledged there would be a heavy cost to the public sector in the short term, but argued that it could eventually mean increased productivity and savings for society if it led to a healthier workforce and more cohesive population.
“It’s clear that following the pandemic, people across Wales are re-evaluating their priorities in life and looking for a healthier work-life balance,” Ms Howe said.
“The escalating demands of caring for loved ones due to an ageing population and an increase in mental health issues, exacerbated by working long hours, are just some of the factors that make a shorter working week more appealing.”
Noting that the working week had not changed for more than 100 years, she said now was the perfect opportunity for Government to commit to a pioneering trial and build evidence for greater change across Wales.
A report by Ms Howe and think tank Autonomy, found about two-thirds of Welsh people would ideally work a four-day week and almost 60 per cent said they would support the Government piloting a scheme to move towards it.
“Moving to a four-day week in the Welsh public sector could be particularly effective as sickness rates are high there and giving staff an extra day off could help to tackle this,” Ms Howe said in her report.
“It would foster better cohesion by giving people more time to take part in community groups and projects, and could cut carbon emissions by reducing commuting.”
She also argued that a shorter working week would especially help women, who had less free time on average than men.
A Government spokesperson said it recognised the potential benefits of a shorter working week.
“We are considering the progress of pilots in other countries and examining the lessons Wales can learn,” the spokesperson said.
Cardiff, 17 February 2022
