While Australians are committing themselves to longer working hours, their Swedish counterparts are moving towards six hour working days, in an effort to give locals greater time at home.
The changes are thought to be centred around ensuring greater productivity from workers, with workers thought to be more relaxed and just as productive from shorter working days.
Director of Melbourne University’s centre of workplace leadership, professor Peter Gahan told The Age shorting working days could result in greater health benefits.
“Health and medical research shows that people who work much longer hours tend to fall off the perch in the end, and are more likely to suffer more serious health consequences later in their life,” he said.
Studies conducted by The Lancet last month showed a 33 per cent increase in the chances of stroke for people who work 55 hour weeks, compared to those who work 35 to 40 hours.
Source: The Age
