English 
Spanish 
4 min read
1 comments
The four-day workweek is about to become a reality in Brazil, bringing incredible benefits such as better health, productivity and quality of life. The proposal can completely transform the work environment, without any loss of salary.
The proposal to reduce the working day to four days a week, present in Bill 1105/2023 and defended by Senator Weverton (PDT-MA), has generated great interest and several discussions about its impacts on productivity, quality of life and the economy.
This project aims to shorten the working week without salary cuts, in line with similar models already tried in countries such as Iceland, the United Kingdom and, more recently, Chile.
In Brazil, this debate becomes even more relevant considering that 44 hours a week is the legal standard, which leads many professionals to overload and mental health issues.
- Brazil accumulates impressive 124 billion yuan in reserves and strengthens ties with China
- Bill Gates and his $153 billion fortune: Mansions, art worth millions and billion-dollar donations that will change the world after his death
- Lack of labor hits the world of collectors and causes wages to soar in Brazilian city
- Brazil imported 28 THOUSAND tons of garbage in five months! Law seeks to ban unusual practice
Benefits of a shorter journey
PL 1105/2023 highlights that reducing weekly working hours has positive impacts on people's physical and mental health. workers.
Experts point out that shorter working hours reduce stress and prevent problems such as Burnout syndrome, which is quite common in sectors that require high productivity over long working hours.
According to data from The 4-Day Week Global, an experiment carried out in the United Kingdom, 79% of workers on a four-day workday reported fewer symptoms of Burnout, and more than 50% noticed improvements in the management of their personal and professional lives.
This model also resulted in lower turnover at participating companies, benefiting business and increasing employee satisfaction.
In addition to promoting health, the four-day workday offers more time for leisure and family time, which increases satisfaction and can result in a healthier and more productive work environment.
In Brazil, the success of the pilot project of the organization “4 Day Week Brazil”, which follows the 100-80-100 model (100% of salary, 80% of working hours and maintenance of 100% of productivity), reinforces the potential of the proposal for sectors that prioritize efficiency and quality of life.
Challenges for implementation in Brazil
Despite the advantages observed in other countries, implementing a reduced working day in Brazil is not an easy task.
The diverse reality of the national market requires an adaptation and support plan, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which could face difficulties in adapting operations without financial impacts.
Another barrier is the culture of productivity linked to long working hours, which still persists in many sectors. According to technician Clemente Ganz Lúcio, from the Trade Union Forum, the success of the proposal in Brazil depends on the adhesion and adaptation of several companies, and on support for SMEs to adjust without major impacts.
Economic effects and role of trade unions
In addition to challenging conventions in the corporate environment, reducing working hours also raises economic questions.
Critics say fewer hours worked could impact production and, consequently, the economy.
On the other hand, supporters of the PL indicate that, with more free time, workers could increase consumption, benefiting sectors such as tourism and leisure.
This effect could generate new jobs and stimulate the economy more broadly, an argument used by other countries that are already discussing or have adopted shorter working hours.
On the national scene, unions and associations play a central role in ensuring that the reduction in working hours is fair, maintaining labor rights and preventing work overload.
Senator Paulo Paim (PT-RS), the project's rapporteur, emphasizes the need for a consensus between employers, employees and the government to effectively implement reduced working hours.
The trade union movement supports this change as long as there is a fair redistribution of productivity gains, enabling greater access to jobs and avoiding the accumulation of functions by those who remain employed.
Learnings from international experiences
Iceland's experience was one of the most talked about in the global context. There, the four-day week did not reduce productivity, and in some cases, increased it.
The United Kingdom and Chile follow the same path, adapting the workload gradually. Brazil, with the support of international organizations, sees the Icelandic model as a positive and viable example.
In a recent trial, almost all British companies decided to stick with the new regime after noticing that there was no drop in productivity, but rather improvements in employee mental health and an increase in talent retention.
And the future of work in Brazil?
While the project awaits processing in the Chamber of Deputies, the debate is intensifying in various sectors of Brazilian society, with many workers and experts closely watching global initiatives and local adaptations.
The change could represent a new era for the job market, combining well-being and productivity in an innovative way.
Is Brazil ready to take a bold step and reduce working hours, as other countries have done?
Brazil, the land of vagrancy. There are not enough holidays throughout the year and now this.