Scottish government urged to extend testing from one week to four days Business News

Trials for a four-day workweek in Scotland are set to be extended after polls showed overwhelming support for the idea, experts say.

Research conducted for the think tank IPPR Scotland found that 80% of people believed that reducing their number of working days – without loss of pay – would be beneficial for their well-being.

The survey also found that 88 of the people are said to be willing to participate in testing programs put in place by ministers of Holyrood. Some 2,203 people aged 16 to 65 were interviewed.

Two-thirds of respondents (65%) said they believed a shorter workweek could boost Scotland’s productivity.

Pilots are being put in place following changes in working practices caused by the coronavirus pandemic, with the SNP pledging a £ 10million fund for companies testing a four-day week.

But IPPR Scotland has said the Scottish government should expand these programs to include more sectors of the economy, so that people in non-administrative jobs, shift workers and part-timers can participate.

The think tank argued that unless the lowest-paid sectors were included in the pilot, as well as those who might find it more difficult to make the transition to a four-day week more difficult, the programs The trial might not properly test the impact of such a change.

Rachel Statham, senior researcher at IPPR Scotland, said: “The Scottish government is right to test a four-day work week, as today’s evidence shows that it is a policy benefiting overwhelming public support and that it could be a positive step towards building a well-being economy.

“But any successful transition after Covid-19 has to include all kinds of workplaces and all types of work. to reflect this reality.

“So we need to look at what shorter working time looks like from the perspective of shift workers, those who work excessive hours to make ends meet, or those who currently have fewer hours than they do. would like. “

The independent has contacted the Scottish government for comment.

Research has repeatedly shown support from workers and even bosses for shorter hours.

A 2019 YouGov poll found that three-quarters of people supported the idea in the UK, while a multi-year trial in Iceland was called “overwhelming success.” The pilot project boosted productivity and well-being, and enabled staff across the country to negotiate more flexible or shorter hours.

Another 2019 research, conducted by Henley Business School, found that most companies that employed a four-day week took more advantage of their employees, who were also happier and took fewer sick days.

Additional reporting by the Press Association