Ministry launches a pilot programme for reduced working hours
Analyses commissioned by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy on opportunities for reducing working hours have been completed, their conclusions showing improvements in employee health at places where working time has been reduced, consequently fewer absences.
The change is also said to have positively impacted on employee efficiency and creativity. The report also stressed that the reduction in working hours had no negative financial impact on businesses.
The Ministry is planning to launch a voluntary pilot programme to which companies of different sizes will be able to apply. The programme is expected to last several months and is to form the basis for drawing up relevant amendments to the Labour Code. The rules for participation in the programme will be announced by the end of June. It is already known that participants will have a choice between different models for reducing working time, i.e. a reduced working day or week or the granting of additional leave. The introduction of the programme assumes that existing salary levels will be maintained.
The aim of the proposed changes is to reduce working time by 20%. A special team is to be set up at the Ministry to oversee the pilot programme and develop legislative solutions.