Basel, a city in Switzerland, plans to implement a four-day work week while maintaining regular wage rates in a pilot scheme.
Work in Switzerland: The Four-Day Week Experiment
Employees in Switzerland typically work an average of 42 hours a week for full-time positions, even reaching up to 45 hours in certain jobs. This workload is outlined in contracts or Collective Labour Agreements (CLA), with hours usually from 8 am to 5 pm, though these can vary.
Switzerland's work week is longer than the European Union average of 35 hours and 42 minutes. There have been efforts in the past to shorten the work hours, and a new experiment with a four-day work week could be on the horizon in Basel.
Despite strong opposition from some parties, the cantonal parliament has given approval for a three-year pilot project encouraging local companies with up to 250 employees to voluntarily test a four-day week, while maintaining their full salaries. The participating employers would receive financial support from the state throughout the project, with evaluations taking place at the end.
While left-wing parties view a reduction in working hours as an opportunity to improve employees' work-life balance, conservative groups warn that widespread adoption of this practice could worsen the existing skilled-labour shortage.
Four Days, Same Pay
The exact start date for the four-day work week experiment in Basel is yet to be set. Some have opposed the idea, arguing that reducing work hours while Switzerland - and Geneva specifically - is experiencing a labor shortage is counterproductive. They suggest this practice could lead to seeking workers in other countries, not just neighboring France.
On the other hand, supporters argue that reducing work hours allows employees to enjoy a better quality of life outside of work, which would increase productivity at work.
An Attempt in Geneva
In the past, Geneva MP Thierry Cerutti from the Citizen's Movement Party proposed a motion to approve a six-hour day in both public and private sectors, for the same wage as the regular eight-hour day. However, there has been little follow-up on this motion since its proposal.
Skeptics argue that reducing work hours could be detrimental in a labor-shortage context, leading to the need to look for workers in distant countries. Opponents also point out that France, which implemented a 35-hour work week, has not seen significant economic benefits from doing so.
Work-life Balance: A Global Concern
The idea of a four-day work week has gained popularity globally, with discussions focused on improving work-life balance and increasing productivity. This involves reducing the number of working days while maintaining or increasing productivity levels. While some support the flexibility for employee well-being, others express concerns about potential impacts on productivity and economic stability.
Sources
- The average work week in Switzerland: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/coronavirus-how-will-working-from-home-work/46747838
- Four-day work week experiment in Basel: https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/basel--_four-day-work-week-to-be-tested/46747864
- SFC Europe 2025 conference in Basel: https://sfc.sapinformation.com/sfc-europe-2025-basel/
- Studies and initiatives on the four-day work week: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/02/the-case-for-a-4-day-work-week/617513/
- Environmental meetings in Geneva: https://baselrotterdam.int/documents/meeting-information/cop11/baselrotterdam_cop11_press_kit.pdf
- Economists in the debate over Switzerland's four-day work week experiment in Basel argue that maintaining productivity is crucial while reducing the number of working days.
- Unsurprisingly, the four-day work week in Basel, Switzerland, has sparked divisive opinions among conservative groups, who fear that it could exacerbate the existing skilled-labor shortage.
- The education-and-self-development sector in Switzerland could greatly benefit from the personal-growth opportunities that a four-day work week might provide, potentially enhancing productivity.
- Voluntarily participating employers in Basel's four-day work week experiment will still be paid their full salaries, despite working fewer hours, as a part of the government-funded pilot project.
