Problem
Polish weekly working time is, on average, longer than in other EU countries. The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is considering reducing working time to four days per week, with wages corresponding to five days of work.
Main message
The introduction of a four-day week would significantly exacerbate labour shortages and reduce the state’s ability to provide public services. better way to improve work-life balance is to increase employees’ entitlement to reduce their working hours, with a proportional reduction in pay, and to refuse to work overtime.
The authors are grateful to Jan Rutkowski for his valuable comments. The contents of this publication express the views of the Authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Institute of Structural Research. The usual disclaimers apply.
Bibliography:
- https://prognozy.praca.gov.pl/
- https://www.portal-mundurowy.pl/index.php/aktualnosci/mswia-reaguje-na-zwiekszajace-sie-wakaty-w-policji-beda-zmiany-w-rekrutowaniu
- https://pulsmedycyny.pl/kryzys-specjalistow-i-lekarzy-poz-zwieksza-sie-dystans-miedzy-polska-a-innymi-krajami-oecd-1205893
- OECD, 2010. OECD Employment Outlook 2010.
- OECD, 2021. OECD Employment Outlook 2021.
