Iceland is known for the Northern Lights, glaciers and volcanoes, and Bjork. Attention is now being paid to the Icelandic experiment with a shorter workweek. Five years ago trade unions were able to persuade city management in Reykjavik to cut weekly work hours to 36 and work days to 4 for 2500 municipal workers. Later the national government followed with its own trial run.
Two things happened: (1) productivity increased enough that there was no overall loss in services and (2) workers reported reduced stress and higher overall satisfaction with life. Now the experiment has been expanded to 86% of the Icelandic work force.
Guidelines for reducing work time included fewer and shorter meetings, more effective prioritization and delegation, and less time spent on personal errands and breaks. Click here for the full details. Covid has already led to unprecedented changes in work schedules; perhaps the time has come to take even further steps!
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