Belgium moves to 4-day work week. But there are a few twists

Are you an employee in Belgium? Well if you are, lucky you! And if you aren't, well let's learn what Belgium is doing for its country (and ask for it in our own country in the next elections maybe?).

It looks like Belgium's Prime Minister is taking inspiration from the popular 4-day work week and using it to help bring reforms in the lives of Belgium's workers, both private and public. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo announced the updated employee reforms recently and here is how Belgium is giving more work flexibility to its public and private sector employees: 

Belgian Labour Minister Pierre-Yves Dermagne. Photo: Getty Images  

WHO IS THE 4-DAY WORK WEEK FOR?

1. The federal government employees in the public sector already follow a better working policy and these new guidelines are now applicable for ALL companies (be it private or public) where the staff exceeds 20. 
2. It also includes inititiatives for gig workers.

WHY IS BELGIUM MOVING TO A 4-DAY WEEK? 

Belgium aims to create an economy that is more innovative, sustainable and digital, and it recognises that parents need to spend more time with their children. The move is aimed to be able to make people and businesses stronger. 

WHAT KIND OF WORK REVOLUTION IS THIS EXACTLY? 

1. Under the Belgian policy, employees would be able to condense the current five-day week into four days to experience a condensed work week. Now, the catch: Employees will have to work for longer hours than normal hours on those 4 days to enjoy a three day weekend.
2. The employee has an option to request this for a period of six months and the employer can only decline it if they have a solid reason. 
3. After the six-month period, the employee can choose to continue the arrangement or return to a five-day week with no negative consequences.
4. Full-time workers can also request variable work schedules but have to give a minimum notice period of at least 7 days. 

Irrespective of what option they choose, the number of working hours will remain the same, i.e, a 38-hour working week.

So, employees either get a condensed four-day work week or a comfortable five-day work week.

Some reforms were created in January 2022, but were applicable only for civil workers of the federal government. But from February 2022, the same will be applicable for private sector employees too. This includes: 

1. Giving the right to turn off work devices and
2. Ignore work-related messages after work hours without fear of reprisal.

WHAT'S FOR THE INDEPENDENT/SELF-EMPLOYED/GIG WORKERS?

Self-employed persons will have more autonomy while workers who work for platforms like Uber, Deliveroo and Just Eat Takeaway will receive insurance against work-related injuries and there will be clearer rules defining who is - and is not - self-employed. 

OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE A FOUR-DAY WORK WEEK IS APPLICABLE

A six-month trial of a four-day week is due to start in 2023 in Scotland, with a £10 million fund made available to participating companies by the government. 

If you had a choice, what would you choose?