Comparative analysis of the reduction in working time and the four-day work week in the EU

This report examines the evolution and current state of working time reduction initiatives across EU Member States and Norway, with a particular focus on the four-day workweek. Recent attention to reducing working hours has been driven by the need for better work-life balance, increased productivity, and the need for employees, employers and labour markets to adapt to post-pandemic changes in work. The study analyses initiatives, implemented from 2020 until February 2024, led by governments, social partners, and companies, including pilot projects, collective agreements, and innovative business models, and their effects. Key findings highlight the benefits of reduced working time, such as improved employee well-being and organisational productivity, alongside challenges like sectoral limitations and employer resistance.