Majority of Belgians Opt for Additional Vacation Over Four-Day Work Week

Majority of Belgians Opt for Additional Vacation Over Four-Day Work Week

In recent years, the concept of a four-day workweek has been gaining traction across Europe, with Belgium and Germany leading the charge. The idea, which promises better work-life balance and improved employee well-being, is being explored in various ways in these countries.

In Belgium, the average workweek is already relatively short at about 34.1 hours per week, combined with extensive social security and flexible working arrangements that support good work-life balance. The country also permits longer workdays spread over fewer days, which aligns with a form of a reduced-day workweek, though not necessarily a strict four-day week. The stated objective of the four-day workweek in Belgium is to facilitate the reconciliation of professional and private life.

The four-day workweek law, known as the "jobs deal," proposes to redistribute weekly hours over four days without affecting salary or pension amounts. As of November 21, 2022, employees can work a four-day week with their employer's approval, though only 0.5% of employees have taken advantage of this option, according to a study by Acerta in February 2023. Employers have one month to respond to an employee's request for a four-day workweek, and the agreement is valid for six months, renewable.

In Germany, experiments with the four-day workweek are actively taking place. For example, a University of Münster study of 45 companies over six months found that workers experienced better life satisfaction and less stress, although sick leave rates remained unchanged. Germans typically work about 33.2 hours weekly with strong protections, including 30 days of leave, supporting quality of life.

Starting in early 2024, 50 companies of different sizes and sectors in Germany will test a six-month reduction in working hours for equal pay, with the goal of maintaining productivity. A majority of workers (74%) prefer to maintain a five-day workweek and have more vacation days. Interestingly, job satisfaction plays a significant role in respondents' preferences: those who enjoy their work declare that they need fewer additional vacation days or free time.

Researchers from Cambridge University, Boston University, and the think tank Autonomy worked on the UK experiment, which was led by 4 Day Week Global. The results of the UK experiment showed that a shorter workweek has significant effects on employee well-being and facilitates employee retention. Nearly half of employees (51%) are willing to accept a 10% salary reduction in exchange for more vacation days.

Broader European pilots of the four-day workweek have shown improved mental and overall health, with less burnout reported by employees after shifting from about 40 hours to 32 hours per week. These outcomes suggest the four-day workweek could be a beneficial reform in these countries if coupled with organizational and cultural adaptations. However, the experiment remains selective, often limited to companies already open to flexible work models.

In both Belgium and Germany, the four-day workweek is facing challenges in mainstreaming these models amid existing work cultures. Yet, the early indications are promising, showing that a four-day workweek can improve worker mental health and work-life balance without notably increasing sick leave. As the experiments continue, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and whether the four-day workweek becomes a standard in these countries.

1. In Belgium and Germany, the four-day workweek, aimed at improving employee well-being and work-life balance, has been experimented with, eschewing traditional work culture, particularly in the realms of science and finance.
2. The four-day workweek, a popular lifestyle change, has shown positive effects on health and well-ness, demonstrating less burnout and better mental health in both employees and companies participating in these European pilots.
3. Amid increasing business interest in workplace-wellness, the four-day workweek serves as a promising reform, potentially becoming a standard within these countries, impacting the quality of life, productivity, and job satisfaction for employees.

Read also: