A 4-day week of work from 2024. How will that affect your earnings?

For years Poland has been at the forefront of the most busy nations of the European Union. European countries are increasingly experimenting with the thought of shortening working time: 33 German companies have started the six-year piloting of the four-day work week since February this year. another countries besides test or announce akin initiatives. Incidentally, even in Poland there are companies that offer shorter working time. Does a four-day working week have a chance to be permanently introduced to our work code?

4 days of work week has entered the European market

According to Eurostat, the average Pole aged 20-64 spent 40.4 hours a week last year, while the average working time of the EU citizen was 37.5 hours. The issue of the request to balance working and private life in public spaces is increasingly addressed to reduce the problem of excessive stress and burnout. Let us remind that the amendment of the Labour Code introduced the anticipation of 2 days off due to force majeure (with partial salary) and 5 days of free care leave. However, according to any opinions, these changes are insufficient.

Currently, many European countries have shorter working hours per week than the 40 hours in force in Poland, as well as expanding interest in shortening the working week to 4 days. Dr. Patrick Kuzior, assistant prof. at the WSB Academy.

Left wants 35-hour work week

In the erstwhile word of the Sejm, the Left Group proposed a task that assumed a gradual shortening of the working week to 35 hours. Nevertheless, this initiative did not go through the legislative process. During the pre-election convention, Vladimir Czarzasty besides presented the concept of the right to a break from business contact after 22:00 and the thought of introducing 35-day leave. Patryk Kuzior expressed the belief that we could anticipate further projects to reduce working time and increase remainder time in the close future. This possible may concern employers who may be afraid of increased costs or difficulties in organising work.

Four-day week of work. What do employers think about this?

At the moment, any experts point out that many sectors of the Polish economy are not prepared to make possible changes. This applies to industries specified as construction, industry, logistics and agriculture. The CEO and CEO of Hochland Polska, Maciej Tomaszewski, stressed in a press interview that the efficiency of work in these sectors is simply a key component in achieving success. There is simply a request to adapt to fresh challenges and improve work systems in order to be able to compete effectively in the global market.

Ignacy Michałowski

OSINT investigator with experience in global journalism projects. It has been publishing materials for over 20 years for the largest releases. In social activities he engaged in various projects and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people, especially those of mediocre communities. He was besides active in the fight for human rights. Contact: kontakt@legaartis.pl