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Striking the balance between work and life is always a difficult balancing act. I think the COVID-19 pandemic made it particularly clear that some of us need a little more of a work-life balance to prevent burnout.

There are many companies and countries throughout the world who’ve been trying to help their employees find the happy medium between their personal lives and their professional ones. One of these countries is looking to shorten the workweek by one day.

Photo: Unsplash/Scott Graham

The Scottish National Party has now announced that it is looking to make a four-day workweek, according to The National.

Of course, this is currently on a trial basis. The hours will be reduced by 20 percent, however, there will be no loss to wages. This entire reduced workweek is the SNP making good on their promise during reelection. By keeping their promise, they will be helping companies to test out the four-day work week by creating a £10 million assistance fund.

Photo: flickr/Scottish Government

According to The Herald, government offices in Scotland won’t be testing out the four-day work week. The first of the companies to be testing this new work week will be Glasgow-based UPAC Group – packing company – as well as Orocco, which is a building contractor based out of Edinburgh.

This move is one that has been met with support. Many of its supporters have pointed to the four-day work week boosting productivity, as well as workers’ overall well-being. A recent poll conducted in Scotland found that there was a support level of 80% amongst those on board for the four-day work week, and they’re not alone in their belief that a four-day week with no cuts to pay would be beneficial to mental health.

Photo: PXFUEL

There are studies that have shown plenty of evidence that it improves a workers’ productivity. In fact, when Iceland brought in the four-day work week trial between 2015 to 2019, the research showed that the productivity either held or improved in most cases, with workers sharing they felt less stress or burnout.

There is a new invigoration for a four-day workweek, with many countries across Europe and even New Zealand, looking at potential changes. In fact, Spanish officials made an announcement earlier in the year that they’ll be testing out a new, large-scale trial of four-day workweeks starting in the autumn.

Photo: Unsplash/krakenimages

Héctor Tejero of Más País, the party responsible for the test program, explained to The Guardian, “The only red lines are that we want to see a true reduction of working hours and no loss of salary or jobs.”

What do you think about a four-day work week? Would you want one implemented? Let us know!

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