In a recent analysis by Preply, based on Eurostat data, it was revealed that Polish employees work an average of 40.5 hours a week, the second-longest in terms of hours in the European Union, following Greece. This figure surpasses the EU average of 37.5 hours and the global average of 34.2 hours, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Three years prior, Polish workers logged an average of 1,848 hours annually, marking the highest in the EU. In contrast, Germans spent 1,574 hours at work during the same period. The longest work weeks within the EU were recorded in Greece at 41.0 hours, followed closely by Poland at 40.4 hours, and Romania and Bulgaria at 40.2 hours.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark recorded the shortest work weeks, with 33.2, 35.3, and 35.4 hours respectively.
A noteworthy experiment in the United Kingdom, the world’s largest pilot of a four-day workweek, involved 60 companies and 3,000 employees. The results were promising: 92% of employers said they would continue the experiment, and 30% decided to permanently adopt a shorter workweek.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark recorded the shortest work weeks, with 33.2, 35.3, and 35.4 hours respectively.
The four-day workweek experiment💼⏱️How much time per week do you work❓
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) September 20, 2023
In 2022, in the EU, the working week averaged 37.5 hours.
Longest in:
🇬🇷Greece (41.0 hours)
🇵🇱Poland (40.4)
🇷🇴Romania & 🇧🇬Bulgaria (40.2)
Shortest:
🇳🇱The Netherlands (33.2)
🇩🇪Germany (35.3)
🇩🇰Denmark (35.4)
👉https://t.co/mLWvExVQsp pic.twitter.com/2Yc9Z0FdYb
A noteworthy experiment in the United Kingdom, the world’s largest pilot of a four-day workweek, involved 60 companies and 3,000 employees. The results were promising: 92% of employers said they would continue the experiment, and 30% decided to permanently adopt a shorter workweek.
Employees reported a 71% decrease in professional burnout, improvements in physical health and well-being, a 65% reduction in sick days, and a 57% drop in staff turnover. Moreover, companies participating in the study saw an average revenue increase of 1.4%. Similar outcomes were observed in studies conducted in the USA and South Africa, where participants worked fewer hours for the same salary.
In Poland, only a few companies, such as Herbapol Poznań and Spadiora, have decided to shorten the workweek.
The Polish Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, has commissioned the Central Institute for Labour Protection to analyze work efficiency in relation to the number of hours worked per week.
A recent study “Barometer of the Polish Labour Market” conducted by Personnel Service indicated that 28% of employees would favor a four-day workweek, with every tenth employer planning to implement such a system. The study suggests that a model allowing businesses to achieve higher profits while reducing working hours for employees without cutting salaries is feasible.
However, the Polish Economic Institute noted in a recent study on reducing working hours that 51% of companies believe switching to a four-day workweek is unfeasible due to the nature of their industries. Among medium-sized companies, 52% share this view, while 47% of large companies do as well.
In Poland, only a few companies, such as Herbapol Poznań and Spadiora, have decided to shorten the workweek.
The Polish Minister of Family, Labour, and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, has commissioned the Central Institute for Labour Protection to analyze work efficiency in relation to the number of hours worked per week.
A recent study “Barometer of the Polish Labour Market” conducted by Personnel Service indicated that 28% of employees would favor a four-day workweek, with every tenth employer planning to implement such a system. The study suggests that a model allowing businesses to achieve higher profits while reducing working hours for employees without cutting salaries is feasible.
However, the Polish Economic Institute noted in a recent study on reducing working hours that 51% of companies believe switching to a four-day workweek is unfeasible due to the nature of their industries. Among medium-sized companies, 52% share this view, while 47% of large companies do as well.
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