Today there is more than a few examples of companies which already have a 6 hour workday in Sweden, and the notion of a trend towards a six-hour workday has also been mentioned. Since 2002 there is a workplace with a 6 hour workday in the small town of Mölndal.
While less common in many parts of the world, the six-day workweek is still prevalent in certain industries, particularly in countries like Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India.
The idea of shortening the workday instead of the workweek has been suggested by psychologists who believe working six hours instead of eight hours would be a more feasible option for businesses while having the same beneficial impact on workers' wellbeing as the four-day workweek.
In the United States, the "standard workweek" is generally considered to be 40 hours, with employees working five days a week, for eight hours per day. Some employers consider 37.5 hours to be full time, giving 30-minute unpaid lunch breaks each day, while others give an hour and consider 35 hours to be full-time.
However, decades of research supports the 40-hour workweek and shows that working longer can lead to serious negative effects on health, family life, and productivity. Studies show that, over time, working long hours can increase your risk of depression, heart attack, and heart disease.
You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average - normally averaged over 17 weeks. This law is sometimes called the 'working time directive' or 'working time regulations'. You can choose to work more by opting out of the 48-hour week. If you're under 18, you cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.
Days off from work and rest breaks
All adult workers are entitled to one day off a week. Days off can be averaged over a two-week period, meaning you are entitled to two days off a fortnight. Adult workers are entitled to a rest break of 20 minutes if you have to work more than six hours at a time.
Is there a limit to how much I can work each day? Yes. You should get 11 hours consecutive rest each day. This means your working day should not be more than 13 hours long in each 24-hour period that you are working for your employer.
Today there is more than a few examples of companies which already have a 6 hour workday in Sweden, and the notion of a trend towards a six-hour workday has also been mentioned. Since 2002 there is a workplace with a 6 hour workday in the small town of Mölndal.
There is no specific number of hours that makes someone full or part-time, but a full-time worker will usually work 35 hours or more a week.
Standard hours
Monday to Friday between 8:00 or 9:00 am to 4:00 to 5:00 pm and 1-hour lunch. Usually 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. However, due to new working ways and flexible forms of work, this can vary between organisations and industries.
A day shift refers to working in daylight hours, usually between 9am and 5pm, but with some flexibility. Day shift hours can be on a weekly or monthly basis, covering standard hours of operation.
Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break. The break doesn't have to be paid - it depends on their employment contract.
Portugal has become the latest country to announce a trial of a four-day week, following the example of the likes of Belgium, the UK, and others.
Japan. In 2021, the Japanese government's annual economic policy guidelines included a recommendation that companies let employees opt for a four-day workweek and, by extension, a 3-day weekend.
Monday to Saturday are considered the legal working days, but most employees typically work from Monday to Friday. Workdays usually start between 8-9 am and finish between 5-6 pm. Lunch breaks are 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Countries with the lowest average weekly working hours worldwide 2021. Somalia was the country with the lowest average weekly working hours per employee in 2021, with the most recent value showing that Somalians worked on average less than seven hours per week.
4 Day Work Week in Iceland
Iceland is one of the countries most in support of the 4 day work week. Between 2015 and 2019, Iceland led one of the largest 4 day work week pilots. The trial involved about 2,500 participants with no reduction in pay.
You shouldn't have to work more than an average of 8 hours in each 24-hour period, averaged out over 17 weeks. You can work more than 8 hours a day as long as the average over 17 weeks is no more than 8. Your employer can't ask you to opt out of this limit.
There is no general legal prohibition on working alone. However, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have legal duties to assess all risks to health and safety, including the risk of lone working.
Time between shifts
In terms of 'weekly rest', employees are legally entitled to 24 hours off every 7 working days, or 48 hours off every 14 working days. There are tighter restrictions in place for employees working a night shift, as they cannot work for more than eight hours in each 24-hour period.
Rest breaks if you're over 18
If you work for more than 6 hours a day, you're entitled to an uninterrupted rest break of at least 20 minutes - for example a tea or lunch break. You must be allowed to take it during the day rather than at the beginning or end.
If your contract says you have compulsory overtime but it's 'non-guaranteed', your employer doesn't have to offer overtime. But if they do, you must accept and work it. Your employer could take disciplinary action or dismiss you if you don't do the overtime you've agreed to.
If your employment contract has not made provision for working on weekends, you can't be required to work them. Your employer also can't change your contract of employment without your agreement. In the event your contract stipulates you need to work some or all weekends, then you are legally required to fulfil this.