More Canadian companies are trying a four-day workweek
The pilot program will run from April 1 to September 1.
The 4 Day Week Global not-for-profit organization, affiliated with Oxford University, has been promoting the idea of a shorter workweek since 2018. In the U.S. and Canada this program is supported by Boston College, which following the example of Oxford University, studies the performance and efficiency of employees who have switched to the new schedule, as well as their life satisfaction.
Most participating companies reduce the workweek to 32 hours and continue to pay the same wage. Studies show that employees’ productivity increases, for example, people are able to do the same work amount they did for 40 hours.
Canada has already introduced a shortened workweek during the pandemic. It was tested by the municipality of Gainsborough in Nova Scotia. However, the working hours were not reduced.