Finland Experiments With a Shorter Workweek

Several Finnish companies are testing shorter working hours as employers look for new ways to improve working life.

A new report highlights four Finnish companies experimenting with reduced working hours, including four-day workweeks. The idea is to give employees more free time while maintaining productivity and keeping businesses running effectively.

Shorter working hours could help employees achieve a better balance between work and personal life. Supporters also believe that having more time to rest could improve motivation, wellbeing and productivity.

However, the experiments also show that a shorter workweek is not equally easy for every business. Companies need to consider their workload, customer needs and whether productivity can be maintained with fewer working hours.

The Finnish trials add to a wider international discussion about whether the traditional five-day working week could eventually become shorter.