Consultancy leads initiative to test four-day workweek in Brazil

The consultancy Reconnect, specialist in “happiness at work”, leads the initiative in partnership with the non-governmental organization (NGO) 4 Day Week, which defends the reduction of the number of working days in the working week.

A 4 Day Week aims to establish agreements with companies around the world to implement this model on a test basis. The methodology used by them is called 100-80-100: 100% of salary, 80% of working hours (four days instead of five) and 100% of productivity. the idea is reduce the number of days of the work week without loss of productivity, allowing employees more time to dedicate to their personal lives.

Previous tests carried out in other countries showed positive results. At the United Kingdom, more than 90% of the participating companies continued with the reduction of the weekly working hours. In Iceland, 86% of the workforce is entitled to work four days a week.

In Brazil, Reconnect intends to carry out a six-month test

The first stages, which aim to develop the methodology that will be used in the country, begin in June. If the model proves to be effective, the economy will have the opportunity to test a new approach in the labor market.

Some independent companies in Brazil are already looking to implement the reduced workweek. An example is the software company Novahaus from São Paulo and Humanare from Rio de Janeiro, in human resources. Companies interested in testing the four-day workweek model can contact Reconnect or 4 Day Week. To this end, it is planned to launch a specific form for registration in the initiative later this month.

The initiative is important because excessive working hours can harm the physical and mental health of workers

Studies have shown that the reduced working hours can benefit workers, increasing their quality of life, and companies, since the reduction of working time translates into greater engagement, commitment and employee productivity.

While some companies in Brazil are already looking to implement the reduced workweek on their own, initiatives like this one can help create a more enabling environment for adoption of the model in workplaces across the country. This can have positive repercussions for the whole of society, including a labor market healthier and more balanced, with less stress and more well-being for workers.