REYKJAVIK, Iceland–Credit unions already debating back-to-work policies as the coronavirus pandemic restrictions are lifted have numerous companies looking for examples of different approaches. Now they have a country to look to, as well.
Iceland has the concluded a long-running trial of a shorter working week, which has been dubbed an "overwhelming success," as the vast majority of the country's workers have since secured contracts to shorten their hours.
A report analyzing the impact of the trial found that by June 2021 some 170,200 union members from Iceland's working population of 196,700 were now covered by shorter working hour contracts.
According to CNBC, this means that 86% of workers were now either on shorter hour contracts or had "new mechanisms made available to them through which they can negotiate shorter hours in their workplace," according to the report, published Sunday by think tank Autonomy and research organization Association for Sustainability and Democracy (Alda) in Iceland.
Two Large-Scale Trials
CNBC reported Iceland ran two large-scale trials between 2015-19, cutting working weeks to between 35 and 36 hours from a 40 hour-week for many, with no reduction in pay. The trials, which eventually included 2,500 workers, were initiated by the council in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik and the country's national government.
The trials included normal 9-5 workers, as well as those on non-standard shift patterns, and took place in a range of workplaces such as offices, playschools, social service providers and hospitals.
Following the trial, Icelandic trade unions and their confederations secured permanent reductions in working hours for tens of thousands of members across the country, CNBC reported.
“Autonomy and Alda's analysis of the results found that a reduction of working hours actually maintained or increased productivity,” the news outlet stated.
‘Overwhelming Success’
Will Stronge, director of research at Autonomy, told CNBC the study showed that the "world's largest ever trial of a shorter working week in the public sector was by all measures an overwhelming success."
"It shows that the public sector is ripe for being a pioneer of shorter working weeks — and lessons can be learned for other governments," he said.
Data was collected throughout the trials, measuring indicators such as wellbeing, performance and work-life balance.
“The findings indicated an improved wellbeing and work-life balance among workers, as people found it easier to do household errands and make more time for themselves, for example,” CNBC said. “The report also noted that men took on more responsibilities around the house after the trial started, which helped to reduce stress at home.”