12 hours Ago By Sanchita Guha
There’s an idea going around — whisper it — that life is not all about work. This idea sometimes causes ripples, sometimes waves on social networks, the modern battleground of opinions. Though none can quantify exactly how much of “work” and how much of “life” there should be in the “work-life balance” equation, many countries show a willingness now to give the four-day work week a consideration, at least.
A work survey of Asian markets, published in late September 2024 by the recruitment firm Robert Walters, has revealed that about 69 per cent of employers in Singapore (compared to 79 per cent in Malaysia, the highest percentage in the survey) believe that a four-day work week could be feasible. The same 69 per cent in Singapore also believe that a shorter work week could increase productivity. The enthusiasm level for a four-day work week is very high among Singapore employees, of whom 93 per cent of the surveyed respondents have embraced the idea.
However, only 18 per cent of the Singapore employers are considering a transition to a shorter work week within the next two years, compared with the regional average of 37 per cent. Around 20 per cent of the surveyed Singapore employers are willing to consider a ‘bridge’ between a 4-day and a 5-day work week — this involves either more flexible, more relaxed work hours on Fridays, or a clear-cut 4.5-day work week.
Speaking to Connected to India about this concept, Gaurav Saini , Managing Partner, TECO Chemicals in Singapore, focuses on “productivity” rather than a specific number of work days in a week. “As we focus more on productivity and efficiency, flexible work arrangements are becoming increasingly important, rather than definitive days of work,” he says. His company supplies cleaning chemicals to the shipping industry, and there are no 4-day or 5-day work weeks there, which is why all vendors have to work in tandem with the shipping schedules.
“In 24/7 industries like shipping, where both [productivity and efficiency] are crucial, adopting a balanced work-life structure can significantly benefit employees and operations alike,” says Saini, indicating that a rotational flexi-time schedule may be possible. “This approach boosts morale, enhances focus, and drives overall productivity — essential for staying competitive in the global market,” he adds. Ongoing global experiment with work week The Asian markets surveyed include both emerging and major economies, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan.
Among countries that are paying attention to the arguments for a 4-day work week are several European nations, including economic giants Germany and France; Australia; United Kingdom; United States of America; and the United Arab Emirates. In these nations, the 4-day work week is still an experimental idea, being tried out in various forms before arriving at the final shape. The UAE, which has ensured many benefits for its Emirati-dominated government sector, became the first nation in the world to officially announce a shorter work week nearly four years ago.
This was not binding upon the private sector. Sounds good, but easier said than done Looking into the nuts and bolts of the shorter work week — enabled by time-saving technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence — it becomes apparent that a switch may not be easy, though it is within reach. Like the 8-hour work day, and the 5-day work week, there is no “one size fits all” formula for the 4-day work week.
In Singapore, even the average Millennial and Gen Z-er — an individual reputed to often put his/her life ahead of work, unlike the average Gen X-er, whose life is consumed by work — has a guarded reaction to the idea of a shorter work week. Talking about the 4-day work week begs a few questions: Speaking to Connected to India , Gayathri Shankar , 23, alumna of the National University of Singapore (NUS) engineering faculty, points out that a 4-day work week needs to be in sync with the rest of society. She also believes that a 5-day work week with a relaxed Friday might be a better solution.
“Personally, I find in the current 5-day work week, you end up having a ‘pseudo slow’ day or half-day in terms of the Friday, which allows people to relax and take things slowly,” she says. “Additionally, if the [weekly] work hours remain the same despite fewer [work] days, this would affect how much utility people would have outside of work on those 4 actual work days. If the entire society doesn’t shift to mirror the 4-day work week — e.
g. school hours becoming longer to match the longer work hours — you’d end up having a massive demand for after-school childcare services when children are let out earlier than their parents,” she states. In the same age group, Ong Feng , alumnus of the NUS Faculty of Science, tells us, “I think [a 4-day work week] also boils down to how many working hours [Singapore] companies want workers to commit? If the working hours [in a whole week] remain the same, but the number of working days decreases, it would mean that people work longer hours in fewer days.
” Longer hours of work over 4 days, followed by 3 off days would have some economic benefits, feels the young employee, as people would have more time to spend on leisure activities. “I think other countries did implement a 4-day work week and it helped the economy, in the sense that people [there] were willing to spend more,” says Ong Feng, but also expresses his reservation about which industries can or will implement a shorter work week. “At the end of the day,” he says, “I don’t know if the [Singapore] government is looking at a blanket policy to cover all sectors, or are they going to tailor a 4-day work week for each sector.
For example, retail and F&B would be hard to accommodate [in this plan], because of the lack of manpower.” Another NUS alumnus, Pranay Nalawade , 26, an electrical engineer, feels that a “4-day work week in Singapore is not yet widely feasible”, because “while it could boost work-life balance and productivity, challenges remain”. He cites Singapore’s unique economy, the tiny island nation being a major hub of banking and finance in Asia; and financial services are now expected to be available 24/7 because of widespread digitalisation.
“Singapore’s economy relies heavily on sectors like finance, manufacturing, and logistics, which demand consistent operations,” says Pranay. Also, in a 4-day work week scenario, “small businesses may struggle with higher costs and adapting schedules”. It’s not out of the question for Pranay, but he feels the ground needs to be prepared meticulously for a switch to a 4-day work week.
“Larger firms might explore flexible hours, aligning with global trends. Government initiatives promoting innovation and digitalisation may support this shift. Yet, cultural emphasis on productivity and competitiveness means broad adoption would require significant policy changes and societal adjustments for long-term success,” he says.
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