NEWS · B2 Level - Part 1

Work Less, Same Pay

Imagine working a shorter week for the same pay. Well, for more than 50% of the workforce in Iceland, this has been a reality in recent years.

Level: B2 · 15 sentences

Transcript

1. Imagine working a shorter week for the same pay.
2. Well, for more than 50% of the workforce in Iceland, this has been a reality in recent years.
3. It came about thanks to two successful trials in the country dating back to 2015.
4. 2500 workers were allowed to reduce their hours from 40 hours to 35, 36 a week.
5. And the results were good.
6. Researchers found that productivity stayed the same or improved in most workplaces.
7. And workers' well-being increased dramatically.
8. Now, so much of the country's workforce has followed suit.
9. So it's been interesting to look at the Icelandic economy to see if it's had any sort of effect.
10. Well, given it's growing at a faster pace than much of Europe,
11. and the unemployment rate is low,
12. it certainly doesn't appear to be a drag.
13. But before you all decide that you're going to take your Mondays off from now on,
14. you might want to ask your employer first.
15. And what works in a very small country with an outsized service and tourism sector may not work everywhere.