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The Icelandic workforce has reported greater well-being and no decrease in production as a result of a shorter workweek.
With more and more individuals dreaming of a world without daily commutes, the prospect of working fewer hours certainly has its allure.
Now, studies conducted in Iceland have shown that employees’ well-being was enhanced, productivity remained unchanged, and they worked fewer hours for the same salary. Actually, after reducing their hours, workers were more productive in several areas.
Iceland is small, I’ll admit. It employs close to 200,000 people total. A study by the Association for Democracy and Sustainability and the think tank Autonomy found that 86% of Iceland’s working population has either reduced their hours or has the right to bargain for shorter ones. The study characterized the two prior studies, which included 2,500 employees, as “a major success.”
A total of fifteen trials were run between 2015 and 2019. Without a corresponding decrease in pay, workers’ weekly schedules were reduced from 40 to 35 or 36 hours. Protests by grassroots groups and unions highlighted Iceland’s poor performance compared to its Nordic neighbors in terms of work-life balance, prompting the beginning of the trials.
The trials included participants from a wide range of public and private sector occupations. They comprised individuals employed by various government agencies in Reykjavik, as well as daycare centers, assisted living facilities, museums, hospitals, and police stations.
Individuals shared details on how they cut back on their work hours. Shorter and more targeted meetings were a typical strategy. It was mandated at one company that all meetings must be held prior to 3 p.m. Some people have even abandoned them in favor of email and other forms of electronic communication.
Depending on demand, some workers began their shifts earlier than others. For instance, when the kids left for the day, the caregivers would take turns departing early. Some services were relocated online, while traditional company offices cut their hours.
There was a reduction or elimination of some coffee breaks. Participants improved their time management and delegation skills in response to the prospect of a reduced workweek, according to the research.
Many reported increased vitality and decreased stress levels after cutting back on their workweek. They reported an improvement in their work performance after increasing their time spent exercising and socializing.
