Workers deserve a four-day work week
The Scottish Greens have pledged to continue trialling and rolling out a four-day working week pilots in Scotland’s public sector. The Greens say that the future of Scotland’s work must be about improving the quality of life, ensuring people have more time for their wellbeing, loved-ones, and community.
As the Easter Bank Holiday period highlights the many benefits of a four-day work week for many workers across Scotland, the Scottish Greens have committed to demand better for Scotland’s workers, by building a fairer economy that puts people before profit.
As well as the many benefits to workers and efficiency, a four-day work week also eases the pressure on overstretched mental health services, by reducing stress for workers, resulting in less sick days.
The Scottish Greens have already adopted a four-day working week for party and MSP office staff, with positive results. Better work-life balance, less stress, and more control over their lives are just some of the benefits that staff have reported. Better focus at work also means increased productivity.
The Scottish Greens add that the next Scottish Government must work with trade unions and employers to promote and normalise the many benefits of a four-day working week, with no loss of pay.
Scottish Greens co-leader, Gillian Mackay said:
“Too many people feel trapped in a system where life revolves around work. Our economy has been built on a broken idea that people exist to work, instead of work existing to support people’s lives.
“The Scottish Greens believe that work should give us the means to live, not take over our lives entirely. That’s why we are committed to rolling out the four-day work week across as much of Scotland’s public sector as possible.
“A four-day week – without loss of pay – would transform how we work, helping people spend more time with their families, support their communities and live fuller, happier lives.
“We've already seen the benefits it has through recent successful trials, and we want to build on them.
“On 7th May, a vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote to continue the successful roll-out of the four-day work week.”
Gillian added:
“The four-day work week is also good for wider society as well.
“At a time when our NHS and mental health services are under pressure, reducing work-related stress and exhaustion helps to ease that pressure.
“That’s why we want to work with trade unions and employers across Scotland to promote and normalise the benefits of a four-day working week, with no loss of pay.”
