P-06-1247 We call on the Welsh Government to lead the way by supporting trials of a four-day week in Wales

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This petition was submitted by Mark Hooper, having collected a total of 1,619 signatures.

Text of Petition:                    

Moving to a four-day working week boosts productivity & workers’ wellbeing.

After successful trials of a shorter working week in Iceland – with no reduction in pay – governments in Scotland, Ireland & Spain are all devising their own four-day week pilots that are scheduled to begin next year. There's also serious moves towards a four-day week taking place in Belgium, New Zealand, Germany & Japan.

We call on the Welsh Government to lead the way by supporting trials of a four-day week in Wales.

Additional Information:

When Microsoft trialled a four-day week with no loss of pay in their Japan office, productivity went up by 40%. (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/nov/04/microsoft-japan-four-day-work-week-productivity)

According to the Health & Safety Executive, 55% of all sick days taken last year were a direct result of work-related stress, depression or anxiety. Moving to a four-day week would dramatically reduce mental health issues in Wales.

A study by the environmental organisation Platform London found that the introduction of a four-day week with no loss of pay would shrink the UK’s carbon emissions by 127m tonnes, a reduction of more than 20%. (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/27/four-day-working-week-would-slash-uk-carbon-footprint-report)

Four-day week 'an overwhelming success' in Iceland https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57724779.

Status 

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 22/04/2024.

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.

It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 07/03/2022. 

Senedd Constituency and Region

• Vale of Glamorgan
• South Wales Central

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