The Dutch have quietly adopted working just a four-day week. But what has been its impact, and can it last? Your kids are only young once, says Gavin Arm, co-founder of Positivity Branding. By embracing this new work structure since 2019, they've focused on improving quality of life without sacrificing pay. Many companies followed suit, supporting this trend as the country maintains the lowest hours worked in Europe while still enjoying high economic output. The main question now is: Can this model sustain its growth considering challenges like an aging population and the need for increased productivity?
Are Four-Day Work Weeks the Future for the Dutch?
Are Four-Day Work Weeks the Future for the Dutch?
The Netherlands has embraced a four-day work week, raising questions about productivity and sustainability. Discover how this trend is reshaping work-life balance and the economy.
In a bold move towards better work-life balance, many companies in the Netherlands have adopted a four-day work week, maintaining the same pay without longer hours. This shift is driven by a desire for improved quality of life, but its long-term sustainability remains under scrutiny. With the Dutch working fewer hours than their EU counterparts while maintaining high GDP, the debate continues on whether this model can benefit productivity and the economy amidst challenges like an aging workforce and gender disparities in employment.
