Worldwide Companies Embrace Four-Day Workweek, Russia Explores Shift
Companies worldwide are exploring the four-day workweek. In August, Microsoft Japan and New Zealand firms pioneered this shift, with UK and US companies planning to follow in October. Meanwhile, Russian enterprises like Uralvagonzavod and Gorkovsky Automobile Plant have already made the transition.
In Russia, Uralvagonzavod plans to move some workers to a four-day schedule in mid-October. VSMPO-AVISMA is currently operating normally but is set to transition some administrative staff to this new schedule. The Gorkovsky Automobile Plant has already switched to this schedule since August.
Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov acknowledges that a shorter workweek is a forced measure for many enterprises due to temporary difficulties. However, he clarifies that a transition to a four-day work week is not expected at the federal level due to labor shortages in certain sectors. KAMAZ has implemented this schedule since August 1, but only for underloaded enterprises.
The four-day workweek is being adopted by companies worldwide and in Russia to retain highly qualified workforce and maintain operational stability. While it's not a federal-level initiative yet, it's being explored as a solution to temporary difficulties. The impact and success of this shift will be closely watched.
