Link: Japan’s fourth-biggest prefecture eyes four-day workweek, but will that schedule work?

Japan’s Aichi prefecture is considering a four-day workweek for government employees to enhance work/life balance, improve health, and attract job seekers. Governor Hideaki Omura announced the plan, aiming for implementation by next spring.

The proposed shift involves working longer hours over four days instead of the traditional five. This modification is designed to maintain the same total weekly work hours despite the shortened week.

While a three-day weekend might seem appealing, the reality could mean exceedingly long workdays. Employees may end up too exhausted to enjoy their extra day off, merely recovering from the workweek.

Concerns about the feasibility of longer workdays are being taken seriously. A survey is being conducted among government workers to assess the possible impacts of this new schedule.

If the feedback indicates that a four-day workweek is manageable, Omura hopes to introduce the new schedule in the upcoming fiscal year. This move could potentially set a precedent for work culture reform not only in Aichi but across Japan.

Is the allure of a longer weekend worth the potential increase in daily work pressure? The ongoing survey and subsequent decision will be crucial in answering this for Aichi's government employees. #

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