Is a three-day weekend a good idea

Is a three-day weekend a good idea by Michael Cheary Nine out of ten would work longer hours if it resulted in a longer  weekend54% would put in extra hours if it meant longer breaksOne in four would be happy to earn the same money whilst working longer hours, if they could do so from homeLooking forward to the long weekend? Think you’d be more productive if every weekend was three days long? You’re not alone, according to our latest research.With Bank holiday  weekend fast approaching, we asked more than 1,000 UK jobseekers for their opinions on how to improve the typical working week.An overwhelming nine out of ten UK workers admitted that they would put in longer hours during the day, if it resulted in a longer weekend.But as much as we Brits enjoy our Bank Holidays, will a shorter working week ever be a reality in the UK? A look at some of our near neighbours in Europe may suggest it could be closer than we might think.1.  FranceUnions in France recently signed a legally binding labour agreement desig ned to encourage staff to turn off their mobile phones after 6pm. The move is part of an attempt to combat the ‘always-on’ culture brought about by technology.France became the first (and is still the only) country in the world to adopt a 35 hour working week in 1999.2.  SwedenCouncil workers in the Swedish city of Gothenburg recently agreed to trial a six-hour working day for one year. Staff believe the move will increase productivity, create jobs and reduce sick leave, as well as help anyone struggling to juggle family and career.The trial group will remain on full pay and will run alongside a second group who will continue to work a standard 40 hour week.3.  The NetherlandsIn the Netherlands, a four day working week is already a reality. One in three men works part-time or compressed hours, and three out of four women have similar flexible arrangements. Much of this time is put towards extending the weekend.The trend, designed to promote a better work-life balance, was prompt ed by laws passed in 2000 to allow workers to reduce their hours whilst keeping their job, pay and benefits.However, further afield, there is evidence that a shorter working week might not have the desired effect. In 2011, authorities in Utah scrapped a four day working week after it was found to leave a hole in finances and productivity.Whilst some psychologists agree that implementing a four day week could lead to a more productive (not to mention fulfilled) workforce, the effects of the change may be more complicated than we think.With one in five of us working an extra day a week in overtime, often due to workload demands, is squeezing almost six days of work into a more intense four day span actually achievable?The answer, perhaps, could simply lie in maximising the time we do have during the day. To that end, 54% of those surveyed indicated that they would also work longer hours if they were able to take longer break periods during their working day, and a further one in four would do the same if working from home.Mark Rhodes, Marketing Director at reed.co.uk comments:‘Our research suggests that having the option to work more flexibly could lead to a happier workforce.‘But the benefits of adding another day to the weekend could well be counterbalanced by an ever increasing workload for the majority.‘The reality is that a four day working week is probably just a pipe dream. Most of us are already working overtime and the hard working mindset of much of the UK workforce means this is unlikely to change. What’s more, as the economic recovery continues to take hold, the long-term effects of a shorter working week could be damaging.’