Officials test shorter workweek, petitioners can submit objections

– This is a pilot activity. The coming months will show whether such a solution will have a positive impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of work in the office, e.g. whether the number of clients served or decisions issued will not decrease, etc. I will monitor and analyze it based on reports that will be prepared by heads and managers – announced Grzegorz Rusiecki, the president of Leszno, a few weeks ago.

Leszno tests 35-hour workweek

After a few weeks, the result is satisfactory. In an interview with Portal Samorząd, the president admitted that “so far there have been no complaints, the work is being done on an ongoing basis, and the officials I have the opportunity to talk to appreciate it very much.”

The tests will last until the end of September. After each month, department heads will submit a report on how many cases were resolved and in what time, and whether there were any delays.

– If it turns out that despite the fact that the number of cases remains unchanged and they are processed on time, then I will definitely make a decision that this 7-hour working day and 35-hour working week will remain with us as a target – noted Rusiecki.

During the holidays, officials work from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Poles in favor of a 4-day work week

Poland is one of the top countries in Europe where people work the most. According to Eurostat estimates, we rank second in the European Union in terms of the number of hours worked per week, with an average of 40.4 hours. For comparison: France has had a 35-hour work model since 2002, and the Dutch work 33.2 hours per week. ClickMeeting, an online meeting platform, decided to check how Poles view the challenges related to a possible reduction in time.

According to 68% of Poles, introducing a 4-day work week with 8 hours per day would be a better solution than 5 days with 6.4 hours. The latter solution would be chosen by 23% of people, and 9% have no opinion on the subject. The respondents were also asked in a multiple choice question about the possible effects of introducing a 4-day work model.

Respondents responded that in their opinion, the income of both employees and companies will remain at the same level (40% of responses), employees will earn less (15%), both employees and employers will earn more (14%), both groups will receive less (12%), no opinion on the subject (11%), employers will earn less (10%), only entrepreneurs will achieve higher income (8%). In turn, 7% claim that a 4-day work week will only increase employees’ earnings.

Remote/Hybrid Work and Automation vs. the 4-Day Workweek

The introduction of a shortened workweek may be crucial in improving employee efficiency in companies. However, in order to make this possible, it is important to use modern technologies and automation tools. Respondents in the ClickMeeting study indicated that if it were not possible to introduce a 4-day workweek, an additional motivation would be to offer remote/hybrid work (54%), 28% have no opinion on this subject, and 18% believe that it would not motivate them more to perform their duties. Respondents were also asked whether Poles are willing to use modern, digital tools for work. As many as 68% think so, 16% do not have a strong opinion on the subject, 10% think that they are reluctant, and 6% claim that we do not have the opportunity and time to do it.