Labour wants to grant British workers right to demand a four-day working week

LONDON Aug 30: Labour is reportedly on the brink of granting British workers the right to demand a four-day working week. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been at the forefront of this initiative, and a new law expected to be rolled out this autumn will enable employees to compress their contracted weekly hours into four days instead of the standard five.

According to The Telegraph, this “compressed hours” system will form part of a broader suite of new workers’ rights. It appears that the proposed legislation has been shaped following extensive discussions with both trade unions and business leaders.

The proposal is divisive, and Conservatives have railed against the idea warning that it undermines Labour’s promise to prioritise growing the economy. They accused Labour of leaving businesses “petrified”.

Kevin Hollinrake, the Tory shadow business secretary, told the Telegraph: “Despite warning after warning from industry, Angela Rayner is pressing ahead with her French-style union laws that will make doing business more expensive in the UK.

“Labour must listen to businesses who are petrified about day one employment rights and bringing in the four-day week through the back door. It will be businesses and consumers who pay and growth that suffers if they don’t listen.”

Critics say flexible working, including working from home leads to reduced productivity.

Currently, workers can request flexible working arrangements from their employers, but there’s no legal requirement for companies to comply. However, under Labour’s proposed changes, employers would be legally bound to offer flexible working options from the outset of employment, unless it is not “reasonably feasible”.

While the policy may be cheered by some British workers, the Tories argue argued that it contradicts Labour’s commitment to economic growth.

Workers look set to gain significant powers to request that their contracted hours be condensed into a four-day workweek, with Fridays being the likely day off in addition to the usual weekend.