Commentary
“There is no such thing as a free lunch” is an almost iconic popular phrase.
I am reminded of this when reflecting on the current trend in many countries to introduce the four-day working week.
For example, on Nov. 21, 2022, Belgium implemented a law that enables willing employees to transition to a four-day working week. Trials in the United Kingdom, Spain and Iceland have been hailed as “extremely successful.”
The purpose of the trials are to let employers and employees consider the benefits and disadvantages of a shorter workweek. They do not provide a definitive answer as to whether it really benefits all employees and the wider society, however….