The news goes against the trend of shortening the workweek to four days, which studies show is beneficial for productivity and employee well-being and satisfaction. The Greek government says the measure will address labor shortages, ensure workers are paid for overtime, and address tax evasion related to unreported work. But worker advocates say Greece’s new law is unlikely to have the desired effect, and could instead lead to unintended consequences such as higher turnover, burnout, illness, and even death.
“It definitely seems like a step in the wrong direction and it’s short-sighted,” said Malissa Clark, director of the Healthy Work Lab at the University of Georgia, which studies work-life balance. “We know that long work hours are bad for employees’ health.”
According to a recent Gallup poll, 77% of U.S. workers believe a 40-hour workweek would have a very or somewhat positive effect on their well-being. U.S. companies that have piloted or introduced a shortened workweek say they have seen benefits.
In many parts of Asia and other developing countries, the six-day workweek is the norm. But more and more countries around the world are exploring ways to reduce working hours. France is one of the latest countries to pilot a four-day workweek, and Belgium will be the first to formally approve a shortened workweek in 2022. Other countries that have experimented with four-day workweeks include Iceland, Japan, and South Africa.
But widespread adoption of a shortened workweek remains a challenge, with many concerned about staffing issues, lower productivity, increased costs and complex operational changes.
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Greece’s move runs counter to a growing body of research showing that longer work hours don’t boost productivity, but rather hurt it, said Brigid Schulte, director of the Better Life Lab, a work and family justice program at think tank New America. Instead, longer work hours often cause workers to make more mistakes, do their jobs more slowly, and suffer from fatigue, stress, and illness.
“The evidence will be in the evidence,” Schulte said. “If Greece suddenly had an economic recovery, people might think twice. But I don't think that will happen.”
Schulte also said such policies often harm caregivers and women, leading to less diverse staff and management and a wider gender pay gap.
Greek law allows people to work 48 hours a week, but does not require it. And EU law requires employers to ensure that employees do not work more than 48 hours a week on average, including overtime. But Clark says Greek law only creates the perception of choice, as higher wages provide an incentive for people to work longer.
“You are making it difficult to turn it around. [the pay] “Go down,” she said. “Also, what are the norms and expectations in the organization?”
While Greece has been slow to adopt a shorter workweek and has bucked the trend, Schulte and Clarke say the future trend will be shorter workweeks rather than longer ones. They predict that companies will continue to learn how to make processes more efficient, leverage technology, and find benefits for workers and profits.
“It's like a disguised organizational excellence mission,” Schulte said. “If done right, shorter workweeks are better for businesses, better for people and better for the economy.”
What do you think a week's work hours should be? Please let me know. Daniel Avril@WashPost.com.