Workers from several companies in Valencia celebrated their festivities on the four consecutive Mondays: since April 10, because it was Easter Monday, with some movement they chained two other consecutive holidays and also on Monday May 1. They planned to play: In 2022, the City of Valencia, where the Commitment was, presented the project, and with it was played in organizing the 2023 calendar. Therefore, they worked 32 hours a week, accumulated in four days – if need be clarified: the philosophy of the four-day working week involves a reduction in hours and maintenance of wages, which is not about accumulating five days in four.

The Spanish chain Ser speaks with the representative of a consultant who has participated in the Valencia trial period. This company put the entire workforce in a 32-hour formula. The representative of the company clearly states that productivity has “increased considerably”, and that this is why they have also been accrued less work than usual – when we were 40 hours, the deadlines were narrower”. In view of this, it indicates that after the summer the four-day working week has been maintained, once again adjusted planning. They work four days, but the company is open from Monday to Friday, some public holidays and other Fridays.

Series of conclusions: better than bad

The City of Valencia has carried out 2,100 surveys and the report reveals that the four-day working week entails improvements in the lives of workers. Next, point by point is analysed.

1/ Health, welfare and food

They conclude that the reduction in working hours has improved the health and well-being of workers, and that the important thing is that the workers themselves have noticed this. Stress has been reduced considerably – four out of ten said – and some sensations have been improved, such as those related to tiredness, happiness or personal satisfaction.

Physical exercise influences personal well-being and it has become apparent that a 40-hour working week leaves less time than desired to do sport. Therefore, four out of ten respondents claim to have exercised more than usual, especially those under 40 years of age.

In this sense, the point associated with disconnection: people have gone more than usual to natural spaces. One in three says it has helped relieve stress and rested more: two in three have slept more than normal.

The availability of eight hours freer than normal has also contributed to family and personal reconciliation. Three out of four people have taken the time to be more with their friends and also to spend more time with children.

On the other hand, almost all have spent more time doing some cultural activity. One in two has spent more time reading than normal, and two say that on digital platforms you've been seeing more shows or movies than usual.

The time spent cooking at the house also stands out: almost four out of ten say they have eaten “better”, they have worked with meats.

Regarding health, the counterpoint data: among those who completed the survey and consumed alcohol, one in four consumers consumed more with a four-day work week and in the case of tobacco 15%.

The difference has been between men and women. For example, half of men have practiced more physical exercise, in the case of women it has been about a third, and in relation to care, the balance is exactly the opposite.

2/ Thank you for the air quality

“The traffic thanks him,” the report of the City of Valencia states. Taking into account that between April and May there have been four public holidays, three of them were general holidays – Easter Monday, Valencia National Festival and May First – there have been movements because they are special days, not Monday loose. The report says that this must be taken into account, but the conclusions are obvious.

With the data indicating nitrogen dioxide, the fifth working Monday was contaminated 58% more than the rest. The least change has been detected in the use of private transport, but also here on Monday 22% more has been contaminated. In the case of bus movements, pollution has more than doubled from public holiday to working day. The only mobility model has gone down from festive to working, the bicycle.

In relation to energy, it highlights: 30% savings.

3/ Consumption: moved establishment

The consumption of citizenship has not decreased according to the report, it has changed. Businesses and retailers point out that during the monthly test period of the four-day working week, sales have decreased by about 15-20%.

On the contrary, hospitality has absorbed more customers – six out of ten respondents say they have spent more time in bars. The expenditure made by the citizens has been very similar. Consumption has therefore shifted.

[The report is available to anyone who wants to go deeper]