{"id":2012,"date":"2024-02-28T10:56:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-28T09:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.educapharos.com\/?p=2012"},"modified":"2024-02-27T10:41:57","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T09:41:57","slug":"reduction-in-working-hours","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing the Workweek as a Driver of Productivity and Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The reduction of the workweek is a measure that has long been debated in political, social, and economic circles<\/strong>. The goal is to reduce the number of hours spent working without affecting wages or productivity. Some countries, such as Finland, Sweden, and France, have already experimented with this idea, achieving positive results for both workers and companies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Contents\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#%C2%BFQue_implica_reducir_la_jornada_laboral\" >What does reducing the workweek entail?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#%C2%BFQue_beneficios_tiene_trabajar_menos_horas\" >What are the benefits of working fewer hours?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#Mejora_de_la_salud_y_el_bienestar_de_los_trabajadores\" >Improving Workers' Health and Well-Being<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#Aumenta_la_productividad_y_la_competitividad_de_las_empresas\" >Increases companies' productivity and competitiveness<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#Impulsa_la_creacion_de_empleo_y_la_igualdad_de_genero\" >Promotes job creation and gender equality<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#Contribucion_al_desarrollo_sostenible_y_al_bien_comun\" >Contribution to Sustainable Development and the Common Good<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#%C2%BFQue_desafios_implica_la_aplicacion_de_la_reduccion_de_la_jornada_laboral\" >What challenges does the implementation of a reduced workweek entail?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#%C2%BFQue_opinan_los_expertos_y_los_agentes_sociales_sobre_la_reduccion_de_la_jornada_laboral\" >What do experts and social partners think about reducing the workweek?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#A_favor\" >In favor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/blog\/noticias-actualidad\/reduccion-jornada-laboral\/#En_contra\" >Against<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFQue_implica_reducir_la_jornada_laboral\"><\/span><strong>What does reducing the workweek entail?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reducing the workweek involves setting a legal limit on the maximum number of hours that can be worked per week<\/strong>, without this resulting in a loss of wages or labor rights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the agreement between the PSOE and Sumar, the workday<strong> It would be gradually reduced, from the current 40 hours to 38.5 hours in 2024, and to 37.5 hours in 2025<\/strong>. This measure would affect 55% of the country's workers, who currently work more than 38.5 hours per week, according to the Ministry of Labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reducing the workweek does not necessarily mean working fewer days, but rather <strong>allocate hours more efficiently and flexibly<\/strong>. For example, one could opt for a four-day workweek, with each day lasting 9.5 hours, or a five-day workweek, with each day lasting 7.5 hours. The schedule could also be adapted to the needs of each sector, company, or worker, provided that the established legal limit is respected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFQue_beneficios_tiene_trabajar_menos_horas\"><\/span><strong>What are the benefits of working fewer hours?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Proponents of reducing the workweek argue that this measure has <strong>multiple benefits<\/strong>, for workers, businesses, and society as a whole. Some of these benefits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mejora_de_la_salud_y_el_bienestar_de_los_trabajadores\"><\/span><strong>Improving Workers' Health and Well-Being<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work fewer hours <strong>It reduces stress, fatigue, and the risk of accidents and illnesses, and improves sleep quality, diet, and physical activity. <\/strong>All of this leads to greater satisfaction, motivation, and self-esteem among employees, who can devote more time to their personal, family, and social lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aumenta_la_productividad_y_la_competitividad_de_las_empresas\"><\/span><strong>Increases companies' productivity and competitiveness<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Working fewer hours doesn't mean working less, but rather<strong> work better<\/strong>. When employees are more rested, focused, and happy, they perform better, make fewer mistakes, innovate more, and are more engaged with their tasks and goals. In addition, companies save on costs related to sick leave, employee turnover, absenteeism, and labor disputes, and improve their image and reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Impulsa_la_creacion_de_empleo_y_la_igualdad_de_genero\"><\/span><strong>Promotes job creation and gender equality<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Work fewer hours <strong>It allows work to be distributed among more people, which helps create new jobs and reduce unemployment<\/strong>. It also makes it easier to balance work and family life, especially for women, who tend to shoulder more domestic and caregiving responsibilities. In this way, progress is being made toward greater equality of opportunity and rights between men and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contribucion_al_desarrollo_sostenible_y_al_bien_comun\"><\/span><strong>Contribution to Sustainable Development and the Common Good<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Working fewer hours means <strong>use fewer resources, generate less waste, and emit fewer greenhouse gases, which helps preserve the environment and combat climate change.<\/strong> In addition, with more free time, people can participate more actively in the cultural, educational, and civic life of their community, which strengthens social cohesion and democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFQue_desafios_implica_la_aplicacion_de_la_reduccion_de_la_jornada_laboral\"><\/span><strong>What challenges does the implementation of a reduced workweek entail?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reducing the workweek is not an easy measure to implement, as it requires broad consensus and appropriate regulation. Some of the challenges involved in implementing it are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Resistance from business leaders and certain economic sectors<\/strong>. Many business owners view the reduction in the workweek with skepticism, as they fear it will negatively impact their profits, their competitiveness, and their ability to adapt to the market. Furthermore, some sectors\u2014such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, and education\u2014face difficulties in adjusting their schedules to meet the demands of their customers or users.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The need for a clear and flexible legal framework.<\/strong> Reducing the workweek requires legal reform that establishes the limits, conditions, and safeguards for its implementation. However, this reform should not be rigid or uniform; rather, it should allow for some room for negotiation and adaptation to the characteristics of each sector, company, or worker, while always respecting labor rights and the voluntary consent of the parties involved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Coordination with Other Complementary Measures<\/strong>. Reducing the workweek cannot be a stand-alone measure; rather, it must be accompanied by other measures that reinforce its positive effects and offset its potential drawbacks. For example, we should improve workers\u2019 training and skills, promote digitization and innovation in businesses, foster shared responsibility and gender equality, and strengthen social protection and progressive taxation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%C2%BFQue_opinan_los_expertos_y_los_agentes_sociales_sobre_la_reduccion_de_la_jornada_laboral\"><\/span><strong>What do experts and social partners think about reducing the workweek?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reduction of the workweek is an issue that sparks diverse and conflicting opinions among experts and social partners. Some of these opinions are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_favor\"><\/span><strong>In favor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The major unions,<strong> UGT and CCOO<\/strong>, support the reduction of the workweek as a measure of social and economic progress, and urge its implementation during this legislative session. Likewise, some economists, such as Daniel Ravent\u00f3s and Vicen\u00e7 Navarro, argue that reducing the workweek is a way to redistribute wealth, create jobs, and improve people\u2019s quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"En_contra\"><\/span><strong>Against<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Business organizations, such as<strong> CEOE or CEPYME,<\/strong> They oppose the reduction of the workweek, considering it an unfeasible, unnecessary measure that is harmful to the economy and employment. Some economists, such as Jos\u00e9 Luis Feito and Juan Ram\u00f3n Rallo, also criticize the reduction of the workweek as a form of government intervention that restricts market freedom, business freedom, and labor freedom, and that reduces competitiveness and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In short, reducing the workweek is a measure that raises <strong>a paradigm shift in the way work and time are organized<\/strong>. This is a proposal that has both advantages and disadvantages, and that <strong>requires a<\/strong> <strong>a broad debate and appropriate regulation.<\/strong> Its goal is to improve workers' quality of life, business productivity, and the well-being of society, without sacrificing economic development<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>La reducci\u00f3n de la jornada laboral es una medida que lleva tiempo debati\u00e9ndose en el \u00e1mbito pol\u00edtico, social y econ\u00f3mico. Se trata de disminuir el n\u00famero de horas que se dedican al trabajo, sin afectar al salario ni a la productividad. Algunos pa\u00edses, como Finlandia, Suecia o Francia, ya han experimentado con esta idea, obteniendo [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2014,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2012","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-noticias-actualidad"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2012","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2012"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2012\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2017,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2012\/revisions\/2017"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2014"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2012"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2012"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/educapharos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2012"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}