Will the Four-Day Workweek Come into Effect?

The proposal of a four-day workweek is gaining increasing interest in many countries around the world. This idea has both many supporters and staunch opponents. Nevertheless, more and more companies are beginning to see potential benefits from a shorter workweek. Among the most frequently mentioned are increased employee productivity and better work-life balance. In light of the growing popularity of the topic, the question arises: does the four-day workweek model have a chance to become the new standard in the labor market? This change undoubtedly requires careful consideration, analysis, consultations, and adjustment to the current specifics of employment sectors. Is the four-day workweek the future that sooner or later awaits us all?

Possible options

According to the latest media reports, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has taken steps towards shortening working hours. Currently, two variants of reduced working time are under consideration: the introduction of a four-day workweek or the reduction of the weekly working time to 35 hours.
The first variant — working four days a week — allows for an additional day off. However, it is not yet clear what challenges employees will face. Will they have to work four 10-hour days, or will the standard 8-hour workdays simply be compressed into four days? It is also possible that other variants will be introduced, such as three days of 9 hours and one day of 8 hours. It remains unknown which variant will be adopted, but each solution will require adjustments from both employees and employers. This model could significantly improve work-life balance but will demand greater efficiency from employees in a shorter timeframe.

The second variant assumes reducing the weekly working time to 35 hours distributed over five days, which means working 7 hours per day instead of the current 8. This approach appears to be less radical than introducing a four-day workweek and offers some benefits, making it potentially easier for employers to accept.

Both variants primarily aim to increase productivity and improve the quality of life for employees, but their implementation will not be an easy task. The choice between these models will depend on many factors, including thorough labor market analyses, industry specifics, and—perhaps most importantly—the expectations of employers and employees. Social consultations will be necessary to assess which model better suits the needs of the Polish labor market. On one hand, employers will need to consider their organizational capabilities and the potential costs related to implementing a new system. On the other hand, employees will need to adapt to new conditions, which will require changing habits and redefining their approach to professional duties. The final decision should be the result of a comprehensive process considering economic and social aspects, as well as reaching a compromise and readiness of both parties to adapt.

Summary

We will likely have to wait a while for changes regarding the shortening of the workweek — there are no signs that the labor code will be amended in the near future. However, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy’s declaration that changes will occur during the current ruling party’s term allows hope that by 2027 we might witness groundbreaking changes in the labor market. Is the four-day workweek the future awaiting us all? Everything indicates that the answer may come soon.