Labor News & Commentary February 2, 2024 an experiment with a four-day workweek begins in Germany

[Omaha Steve]

https://onlabor.org/february-2-2024/

By Greg Volynsky

Greg Volynsky is a student at Harvard Law School.

In Today’s News & Commentary, an experiment with a four-day workweek begins in Germany.

On Thursday, a New Zealand-based nonprofit began its experiment with a four-day workweek in Germany. The nonprofit, 4 Day Week Global, has previously piloted a four-day workweek with 33 companies in the United States and Ireland, declaring the project a “huge success.” Forty-five companies in Germany are taking part in the six-month program, which started on February 1.

The pilot comes amid a twofold labor crisis in Germany: labor shortage and inflation. The job-vacancy rate is high, while unemployment is low. Employees across industries are seeking higher wages and planning strikes, including the national construction union, which represents 930,000 workers and is seeking a 20 percent pay increase. And, as Bloomberg reports, the problem is likely to get worse, as falling birth and immigration rates are expected to further shrink the workforce.

The four-day workweek has been hailed by some as one path forward. Proponents argue that the shorter workweek will reduce burnout and increase productivity, upholding steady economic output, and attracting workers from around the world. The nonprofit 4 Day Week Global claims that all companies that participated in their initial pilot plan to continue with a four-day workweek.

FULL story at link above.