negotiations between the government, employers and trade unions The reduction of working hours in Spain is in the news these days. It seems that all parties cannot reach an agreement and that some procedures are more complicated than expected. For this reason, there are those who doubt that 37.5 hours per week by 2025as originally promised. It is clear that the biggest obstacles in this regard are put forward by businessmen. Most of them are not interested in their employees working fewer hours and earning the same. Some use productivity as an excuse, which can fall and affect the company’s productivity. But to what extent is this true?
The truth is that there are many studies published on the reduction of working hours. Some analyze how it affects performance workers while others focus on their own health, both physical and mentalThe results vary widely, but most of them have some common details that should be taken into account.
In general, if we stick to what science says, The management is wrong. Reducing working hours does not affect productivity. Let’s see what research says on this and other parameters.
No, reducing working hours does not affect productivity.
In 2020, the American company Bufferwhich develops computer tools aimed at optimizing social networks and websites, conducted a pilot study to reduce the working hours of its employees. In its case, it was not the day itself that was shortened, but an extra day was added to the weekend. Workers They completed their work in 4 days. and then they had to rest for 3. During this experiment it was noticed that productivity increased by 34%The company’s managers were so pleased with this that they decided to make this initiative permanent from 2021.
Buffer hasn’t analyzed the reasons for this performance increase. However, it’s more than obvious that a relaxed and happy worker is more productive. And there are many published studies on this topic.
The Psychological Consequences of Working Less
In 2017, a study was conducted that analyzed Swedish nurses’ working hours cut. Working fewer hours and taking more breaks was a very positive factor for them, as their productivity clearly improved. informed well-being.
Later, in 2022, Irish and English universities conducted a study of Irish and American workers to see how working alone affected their well-being. 4 days a week. After the experiment was completed, 67% of employees reported a decrease levels of exhaustion.
In the same year University of Turin was carried out review of 3876 articles on reducing working hours. In some cases, the working day was reduced to 6 hours a day, in others, the weekly working time was reduced by 25%, in some, the weekly working time was reduced proportionally to the work performed, in others, the total working time per week was reduced to 30 hours. . In general, all of them showed a clear reduction in both stress as of sleep problems.
Is it good to introduce breaks?
In some countries, employers are not in favor of shorter working hours, but are instead in favor of more breaks. However, research does not show that this is the best option.
In fact, in 2023, a group of scientists from Lithuanian Sports University it was checked how the introduction affects the mental fatigue of workers 10 minute rest every 50 minutes moderate exercise. To do this, they reproduced 7-hour workday in the office and they introduced all these breaks. After asking the participants about their level mental fatigueThey found that not only did it not decrease, but it actually increased, perhaps due to the inability to concentrate on their work in the same way.
These results are somewhat consistent with a review conducted in Romania in 2022, which concluded that periodic breaks They may improve well-being to some extent, but not productivity. To improve productivity and reduce fatigue, fewer but longer breaks are needed.
Reducing working hours is also good for your physical health.
In 2020, two scientists from National University of La Plata in Argentina and Lund University in Sweden.analyzed the health of workers in France after a reform that shortened the working day. 39-35 hours per week.
In addition to everything we’ve already discussed about emotional well-being and productivity, there was a clear decline in both. Smoking rate by body mass indexOverall, workers’ self-rated health was much better. Working less and reducing stress is good for your health in many ways.
Research against reducing working hours
Yes, there are also studies that are against reducing the working day. For example, in 2023, a study was conducted in China, which concluded that working hours less than 35 hours per week were associated with perceived stress there are many more workers.
However, there is an important detail to consider. The people who suffered the most were those with less economic resources. And, unlike the other studies mentioned in this article, reducing working hours led to salary reductionSomeone with more economic resources may choose to work less, even if they also earn less, but those who need the money will suffer from this reduction in their income.
Therefore, the main thing is that the reduction of working hours is accompanied by the preservation of wages. This is exactly what is planned to be done in Spain, so with science in hand, everything will be in the plus. No matter what the management says.
Source: Hiper Textual
