Poland Introduces Four-Day Workweek: Revolution or Illusion?
Poland is stepping boldly into the future of work by launching an experimental four-day workweek starting June 30. Yes, you read that right – four days of work, three days off! But before you start dreaming of nearly half the week off, let’s break down what’s really going on.
What’s Changing?
From June 30, employers in Poland will have the freedom to decide how to organize working hours. They can keep the standard five-day workweek but compensate with additional days off, or switch entirely to a four-day workweek. The number of days off will be determined by the employer. To ease the transition, the government is providing 1 million zlotys in financial support to companies and institutions.
Why Poland? Why Now?
Poland is one of the countries with the longest working hours in Europe, which has seriously impacted workers’ quality of life and family time. The government sees this reform as a response to the demographic crisis – less work, more family time, potentially boosting birth rates and strengthening social bonds.
Who Else Is Doing This?
France, Belgium, Spain, and Scandinavian countries have already started down this path. Belgium was the first EU member to legally introduce the right to a four-day workweek, though with the condition that total working hours remain 40 within four days. Spain is testing pilot programs in certain sectors, while Iceland’s successful experiments showed increased employee well-being alongside maintained or even improved productivity.
But Is This Just an Illusion?
Will employers really allow workers to work less without pay cuts? Will productivity hold up, or is this just another trick to squeeze workers harder in fewer days? And what about us in Serbia? Will we soon say goodbye to the eight-hour workday?
Conclusion
Poland has taken a bold step toward modernizing work relations. This is not just an experiment but a potential game-changer in how we work and live. But as always, the devil is in the details – how this reform will play out in practice remains to be seen.
So, what do you think? Would you love to work just four days a week? Or is this just another pipe dream? Drop a comment and let’s see who’s for and who’s against this work revolution!
Source: Blic, Nova TV, Petel.bg
