The Ministry of Labor announced the pilot program on a reduced workweek has yielded remarkable results. Some 492 workers participated in the groundbreaking initiative and the findings are that the shorter workweek can mean a boost in employee productivity, performance and overall qualify of life.
The pilot program findings will be taken into consideration for the labor reform bill expected to be proposed to Congress when the 16 August 2024 legislature opens.
The study looked into both private and public employees when switched from a five to four-day workweek and revealed that entities consistently achieved their business objectives, with a 91% success rate in meeting targets and a 9% near-miss rate.
Participants were tested to see whether they would deliver the same productivity working eight hours less a week (Monday through Thursday) for three months. The current Labor Code establishes 44 work hours. The pilot program participants worked 36 hours per week.
The comprehensive evaluation conducted by the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) unveiled overwhelmingly positive feedback from employees. A staggering 95.3% reported an enhanced quality of life, while 93.8% indicated that the additional free time enabled them to pursue personal interests and activities. Moreover, the study found a remarkable 76% reduction in stress levels and an 88.6% improvement in work-life balance among participating workers.
“The outcomes of this pilot program unequivocally demonstrate that achieving high levels of productivity while simultaneously enhancing employee well-being is not only possible but attainable,” remarked Labor Minister Luis Miguel De Camps when presenting the findings of the study.
The study’s findings were presented by Professor Julissa Pichardo, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at PUCMM and lead researcher, along with Dr. Pura Martínez, associate researcher.
Significantly, the study also highlighted that nearly 70% of supervisors perceived participants in the pilot program as less stressed, more productive, and more engaged in their work. Furthermore, 70.5% of employees utilized the additional time to spend quality moments with loved ones, while 42.4% engaged in recreational activities that contributed to their physical and mental well-being.
Notably, over half of the supervisors observed superior performance among workers participating in the reduced workweek compared to those adhering to a regular schedule. This improvement was evident in terms of productivity, job satisfaction, and overall performance.
The participating entities in this pilot plan included the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (Edenorte), the Haina Electricity Generation Company (EgeHaina), Ergotec, IMCA, the Single Beneficiary System (Siuben), and the National Health Insurance (SeNaSa).
While the study’s findings underscore the viability of a reduced workweek, it emphasizes that a one-size-fits-all approach is not applicable. The study concluded, though, that successful implementation of this model hinges on careful consideration of an organization’s unique characteristics, including its industry, environment, production capacity, value chain structure, employee profiles, products or services offered, and target market.
17 July 2024