Do Fewer Working Hours Mean Less Productivity?

This past week, Greece bucked the global trend towards shorter work weeks by allowing companies to unilaterally impose a six-day work week, with employees working 6.5 hours per day for six days rather than the traditional five-day, 40-hour week.

According to reports, Greece Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' administration says the six-day work week was needed to counteract the effects of a shrinking population and shortage of skilled workers. Quoting news reports, the article also says the regulations would fight the phenomena of undeclared work and increase employee income.

The report noted that the law applies to companies that operate continuously around the clock seven days a week, and to companies that deploy heavy shift work to cope with an unforeseen increased workload. Employers that want to bring their workers in for a sixth day are required to notify a labor inspector before the added shift.

Meeting Resistance

The regulations have already drawn the ire of Greek workers and their union representatives who see their counterparts in other countries move toward a four-day work week. The workers may have a legitimate beef, however, as reports noted that Greece has the 7^th highest average working time among 38 countries in the OECD, a global policy forum, but are third from the bottom in average wages.

Related:Can Advanced Tech Improve Manufacturing Productivity?

Moreover, the lagging productivity could stem from economic policies that are not sufficiently advancing technologies that increase worker productivity, such as automation. A recent survey based on Bureau of Labor Statistics information analyzed by the AI Productivity Platform Plus Docs found that decreased working hours does not mean less productivity.

According to the survey, Indiana observed the most significant decrease in hours worked, at 1.2%. Still, Indiana was found to be the fifth most productive state. Maryland saw the second largest decrease in hours worked at 0.8%, yet was among the ten most productive states in the country.

Following these states were Alaska, Mississippi, and California, respectively. The table below ranks U.S. states by decrease/increase in hours worked.

Sources:  

Bureau of Labor Statistics 

The top-line stats could be an encouraging sign for the U.S., a country where the average hours worked lags behind many European counterparts. In addition, there’s hope that as automation and tools like artificial intelligence continue to increase in usage, onshore productivity will increase and result in happier, less stressed workers.

Daniel Li, CEO and cofounder of PlusDocs, said in a statement, “The states with the lowest working hours often emerge as the most productive due to several key factors: they prioritize efficiency, they implement advanced technologies, and they place an emphasis on employee wellbeing and work life balance. In doing so, they maximize output without extending work hours and they ensure their employess are well-rested and highly motivated, leading to greater overall productivity.

Related:Manufacturers Gain a Competitive Edge by Using Tech in the Workforce

Li added, “Progressive labor policies and innovative workplace practices in these states contribute to an environment where productivity is driven by the quality of work rather than the quantity of hours spent working. This holistic approach not only boosts productivity but also enhances employee satisfaction and well-being."