Companies agree to a four-day work week

In some countries around the world, the reduction of the working week is already a reality, with working hours continuing from Monday to Thursday. Inspired by international dynamics, a British company invited companies from the country to test the model. In the state, entrepreneurs have already adopted this dynamic for some time.

The companies involved in the research had the autonomy to decide which day of the week employees would take off – not always a Friday. The employees themselves receive guidance on how to optimize their working time.

Ronnie Rangel, founder of Mundo do Traqueamento, a technology company in Vitoria, adopted this practice even before she arrived in the country, explaining that “a day off happens every two weeks, and it is an alternative to boosting productivity.”

Ana Quiroz, a specialist in human behavior, management and neuroscience, says that the model is the only way out of leadership that combines technical and emotional qualities.

“The management model has remained the same for 50 years, but recent generations have moved away from it. The reduced week increases productivity, preserves the mental health of employees, and reduces psychological stress and collapse,” the expert confirms.

WeBelieve is a hub of creativity and innovation, with many companies in the ecosystem adopting reduced working hours, with a four-day-a-week working model. For Brenno Lobato, the center’s founder, the model benefits both the company and employees.

“On the part of employees, a significant improvement in performance has been recorded, which is attributed to better time management and balance between professional and personal life. Companies, in turn, are reporting a more harmonious and productive organizational environment,” he says when mentioning the reality of the companies he follows.

The model is still experimental and should be applied with some precautions, says Cosme Pérez, advisor to the Brazilian Association of Human Resources in Espírito Santo (ABRH-ES).

“Ultimately, the employee starts working 80% of the time, continues to earn 100% of the salary, but is also committed to providing 100% of the productivity. This reorganization of the workday is therefore necessary, so that the day off is not compensated by overtime work in Other days.

The expert says the union must approve the changes

To adopt a reduced week, it is not enough to simply exclude a working day. So that the dynamics do not become a problem for the employer and employee, it is necessary to follow a procedure that includes the union.

The Ministry of Public Labor (MPT) recommends that the guidelines follow those set by the International Labor Organization (ILO). For labor lawyer Vitor Bauer, the main goal of the model is to enhance well-being and increase the productivity and results of companies.

“The Labor Law stipulates that the maximum number of working hours cannot exceed 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week. The option to reduce this time is optional for each employer. However, a company that chooses this model cannot compensate for the benefit.”
Labor lawyer Alessandro Baixão explains that the reduction in working hours must be stipulated in detail in an agreement or collective agreement signed between unions and companies that stipulates the conditions for the reduction in working hours.

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What is this?
The four-day work week is a model in which employees work a total of four days per week, instead of the traditional five.

In some cases, this means working longer days, while in others it means reducing the total working hours per week to 32 hours, instead of the traditional 44 hours.

However, the model cannot impose a daily average of more than 8 working hours per day or 44 hours per week.

Hour x salary
Imagine a company with 10 employees and spending R$100,000 per month on salaries and benefits.

In this case, he gets 1,760 hours of work per month, and for this amount, he pays R$56.82 per hour of work.

In this same company, monthly production is 1,000 pieces. So, for labor alone, the cost per piece is R$100.

Now, if the team could produce the same parts, but only work four days, the increase in productivity would offset the higher amount paid per labor hour.

Legitimacy
The reduced four-day week model is not illegal.

The law stipulates that there is a maximum work limit of 44 hours per week – or 8 hours per day. If the employer wants to offer less, it is possible, but you need to be careful.

The value of working hours must be the same for all employees.

In addition, it is necessary to maintain the amounts paid for the 13 paid vacations, without any loss.

Congress
At least two PLs with proposals to reduce working hours are under discussion in Congress. The topic has gained great importance again after Brazilian companies joined an experiment testing the business model for four days.

source: Experts cited in AT research