Evaluating Belgium's Four-Day Workweek Impact

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In November 2022, Belgium became the first European country to introduce a four-day workweek. It was designed to increase jobs, give workers more flexibility, and provide a better work-life balance.

Many workers dream of a four-day workweek, while others see it as unrealistic in today's hyper-competitive market.

So, after nearly 18 months, how has the Belgian workforce reacted to this new work option? And what other countries have embraced the four-day workweek?

The Belgian Four-Day Workweek Explained

The Labour Deal passed in 2022 allowed Belgian workers to have a four-day workweek. However, employees must gain permission from their employer and still work the same hours as a five-day work schedule.

The Belgian government introduced the four-day workweek to improve work-life balance and pursue an 80% employment rate by 2030.

How Is It Working in Practice?

Belgium's bold move to legislate a four-day workweek hasn't caught on with workers, yet.

A recent survey by HR company Acerta showed that only 0.8% of Belgian workers have embraced the four-day workweek. Critics have raised concerns about its practicability and potential negative impact on employees' salaries tied to the number of days worked.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for this new way of working. The study also revealed that 47.8% of 20 to 30 year olds prefer a four-day workweek.

There are many reasons why the scheme has not been an immediate success:

1. It's still a relatively new concept for many employees and businesses.
2. The administration of the four-day workweek is not straightforward.
3. Business decision-makers are wary of its impact on productivity.

Despite the low numbers of Belgian workers embracing the four-day workweek, there are signs (with time) that it will transform the country's working culture.

Global Perspectives

The four-day workweek adoption and trials have not been limited to Belgium. Let's look at some other countries that have explored or implemented this new way of working.

• Iceland

From 2015-2019, Iceland completed large-scale four-day workweek trials. Over 2,500 employees (around 1% of the workforce) took part in the trials and the results were an overwhelming success.

By 2021, 86% of Iceland's workers were working fewer hours or had the option to do so.

• Japan

In Asia, Japan has led the way in trailing shorter workweeks. In 2019, Microsoft tested a four-day workweek which resulted in workers being 40% more productive. Panasonic has also introduced an optional four-day work schedule for its Japanese employees.

The Japanese government in 2021 proposed a reduction in working hours and is working towards legislating this in 2025.

Recently, Japan's Chiba Prefecture announced it was introducing a flexible system that would enable a four-day workweek for its employees.

• United Arab Emirates

Since July 2023, all government employees in the United Arab Emirates can work a four-day workweek. And with the government employing up to 90% of the UAE workforce, this is a significant transformation.

The growth of the four-day workweek is not restricted to mainland Europe, it's a rising trend across the world.

Is the Market Ready for a Four-Day Workweek?

As someone who has been working in the global employment space for over 20 years, I've seen and experienced a lot of "future work trends."

However, I believe that the four-day workweek or shorter work hours in general will happen. It's a matter of when — not if.

It's natural for companies to be wary of such initiatives. Until there is more research and "real data" showing that reduced work hours don't equal reduced productivity, this will continue.

But in my opinion, companies that lead the way in providing flexible work options for their employees will see the benefits in the short and long term.

A Work in Progress

While Belgium's pioneering legislation is a big step towards flexible work lives, its full potential and impact are yet to be seen.

The global shift toward a four-day workweek represents a massive change in our work-life balance. As more countries and companies test and embrace shorter working hours, it will move from being a future way of working to the accepted way of working.