4-day work week increasingly further away from Peru: 65% of bosses report low productivity

The business market is constantly evolving and traditional workdays are under observation, giving way to the consideration of more flexible and friendly alternatives with the quality of life of employees.

Europe leads the way in this regard, countries such as Belgium, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, among others; They already experience shorter working hours of 4 days a week. Latin America, on the other hand, shows initial resistance to this change.

The average working day in Europe is approximately 38 hours per week, while in Latin America, especially in Peru, it is 48 hours. Would a 4-day-a-week model work in our country?

4-day work day in Peru: a utopia

According to Silvana Cárdenas, Director of Right Management Latin America at ManpowerGroup, only 1 in 10 companies globally would be willing to reduce their working hours.

Meanwhile, in Peru, the labor market must first be analyzed, which is marked by the diversity of sectors and industries and a growing shortage of qualified talent.

“65% of Peruvian employers say they have problems finding professionals and filling vacancies. This situation impacts the productivity and sustainability of businesses, which prompts the employer to think about talent attraction strategies aligned with the interests of new generations of collaborators,” he adds.

However, according to other ManpowerGroup research, 6 out of 10 employees globally would be willing to sacrifice a small percentage of their income if they are offered access to a 4-day workday.

For the talent management expert, it is very important to listen to candidates and meet their demands, at the same time that the employer adapts its business model with the purpose of maintaining flexibility, promoting greater diversity of talent and building new “quarries.” of professionals through training.

“If what is sought is to implement the 4 Day Week, a cultural change is first required in companies and also in the skills of professionals, in such a way that productivity is valued over the hours worked. . It will be essential for all employers to carry out an evaluation of the nature of tasks, the implementation of efficient technologies and the redefinition of goals and objectives,” he adds.

Manpower: What does the worker need to negotiate 4-day work weeks?

In a hypothetical scenario, where the candidate wants to have greater flexibility and access the benefit of 4 working days, it will be essential for talents to work on improving their skills and those soft skills that are most valued and required today.

1. Teamwork and collaboration: Companies need people who know how to collaborate to win together, to generate relationships and mutual support for common objectives.
2. Conflict management and problem resolution: Employers need talent that is able to take risks and make timely decisions to resolve critical situations.
3. Resilience and adaptability: Today the rules of the labor market change very quickly, the environment and the competitiveness of companies demand more agility from talents.
4. Responsibility and trust: If they would like to work 4 days a week, the talent must demonstrate that they are trustworthy to their employer, that they will meet the objectives and goals set.
5. Planification and organization: Talent must be meticulous and organized in their tasks in order to meet the objectives of their area and the company.