Will shorter working hours become a reality?

Direction of the reform of the labor code: Will shorter working hours become a reality?

The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy announces a major change to the Labor Code, which may result in a shortened working week in Poland during the current term of office of the government. In the context of this reform, which is the subject of much discussion and speculation, two options appear: shortening working hours by introducing seven-hour working days from Monday to Friday or transforming the working week into a four-day week.

According to the latest ClicMeeting study, as many as 70% employees in Poland would prefer a one-day shorter workweek than shorter working days. Such results indicate growing social interest in alternative forms of working time organization, which can bring benefits to both employees and employers.

The authors of the study also referred to Eurostat data. According to them, Poland is one of the leaders among the countries where the most work is done in Europe. According to statistical studies, we occupy a very high, second place in the European Union in terms of the number of hours worked per week. Our average result is as much as 40.4 hours. What is the situation like in other member states? For example, in France, a 35-hour work model has been in force for 22 years. On the other hand, the Dutch work only 33.2 hours per week.

Two variants of changes to the Labor Code are being analyzed, one of which is the introduction of seven-hour working days from Monday to Friday. This form of work, popular in some countries, could bring benefits in the form of shorter hours spent at work each day and longer rest periods between individual working days.

The second option, changing the workweek to a four-day week, is also gaining interest. Working Monday through Thursday, while maintaining the standard number of working hours, gives employees an extra day off, which can help improve their quality of life and work-life balance.

In both cases, it is important to ensure that employees maintain their current salaries with reduced working hours. The head of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, emphasizes that the ministry's goal is to maintain employee salaries at the same level, even with reduced working hours.

The four-day workweek is nothing new on the international market. In Belgium, since 2022, such a flexible work system has been in place, giving employees the option to work 9.5 hours a day, 4 days a week, or an 8-hour system, 5 days a week. This model, based on an increased number of working hours in one day, is popular and brings benefits to both employees and employers.

The Polish labor market is ready for such changes. Studies show that Poles work on average from nearly 40 to over 43 hours a week, making them one of the busiest nations in Europe. Reducing working hours in companies can bring a number of benefits, both for employees and for the companies themselves. Here are some potential benefits associated with reducing working hours:

1. Increased productivity: Shorter working hours can lead to increased employee efficiency and productivity. Focusing on important tasks and shorter working hours can promote better work organization and more effective use of time.
2. Greater employee satisfaction: Fewer hours worked per week can help employees feel more satisfied with their jobs. Longer weekends or an extra day off can help employees achieve a better work-life balance, which can improve motivation and engagement.
3. Better employee health: A shorter workweek can reduce employee stress and fatigue, which can help improve their mental and physical health. More time for rest and recovery can reduce the risk of burnout and reduce the number of sick days.
4. Increased employee loyalty: A company that offers shorter working hours as part of its benefits policy can gain employee loyalty and retain talented individuals in its ranks. Employees appreciate employers who care about their well-being and may therefore stay with the company longer.
5. Improving the company's image: A company that introduces a shorter workweek can gain a positive image as a company that cares about the well-being of its employees and promotes a healthy approach to work. This can attract new talent and build a positive brand image.
6. Savings on operating costs: Fewer working days can lead to reduced energy consumption, office resources and costs associated with renting office space. This can help reduce the company's operating costs and improve its profitability.
7. Sustainable development: Shorter working hours can be part of a company’s sustainability strategy, reducing its ecological footprint by reducing CO2 emissions associated with commuting and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle for employees.

However, there are also concerns about the introduction of new working time regulations. Here are some of the possible risks:

1. Decline in productivity:

   Despite the hopes of increased efficiency, there is a risk that reducing working hours may lead to decreased employee productivity. Fewer hours spent working may affect the pace of task completion and achievement of business goals.

2. Increase in operating costs:

    Reducing working hours can lead to increased operating costs for companies. Fewer working hours may require hiring additional staff or changes in work organization, which may involve additional expenses.

3. Employee workload:

   Reducing working hours can result in employees having to do the same amount of work in less time, which can lead to an increase in employee workload. This in turn can negatively impact their mental and physical health and cause burnout.

4. Employment problems:

   Companies may have difficulty finding suitably qualified workers for part-time work. Some candidates may prefer full-time or part-time work, which can make recruiting employees difficult.

5. Reduced elasticity:

    Reduced working hours can limit the flexibility of companies to respond to changing market conditions or customer needs. Fewer working hours can prevent a quick response to sudden business needs or changes in production plans.

6. Conflicts between employees:

   Reducing working hours can lead to conflicts between employees, especially if it is not clearly defined how the work will be distributed over a shorter period. Ambiguities regarding the division of duties and tasks can lead to tensions within the team.

7. Decreased competitiveness:

   Companies that reduce working hours may lose their competitiveness in the labor market against competitors that offer full-time or longer hours. Workers may choose employers that offer more hours or other employment benefits.

It is worth emphasizing that not all industries and sectors of the economy can be equally flexible in applying new forms of working time organization.

The application of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy to change the Labor Code is met with mixed reactions. Much depends on the method of implementation and adaptation of companies and institutions to the new regulations. Nevertheless, striving to improve the working and living conditions of employees is a direction that deserves attention and discussion.

The debate on shortening the working week in Poland is gaining momentum, and the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy plans to introduce changes to the Labor Code during the current term of office of the government. This decision has caused mixed reactions, but there is a wide public interest in alternative forms of organizing working time that can bring benefits to both employees and employers. It is worth continuing the discussion on this topic, taking into account various social, economic and psychological aspects.