Ukrainian business supported the transition to a four-day work week: the condition was named

The idea of introducing a four-day workweek in Ukraine is gaining support among the business community. More than half of Ukrainian entrepreneurs have agreed to this format, but only on condition that the 40-hour workweek is maintained.

This is evidenced by the data of the monthly survey of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

It is noted that in the context of changes in the labor market and new social challenges in Ukraine, the prospect of switching to a four-day work week is being actively discussed.

According to the survey:

• 58% of entrepreneurs are ready to support such an initiative if the main condition is met – maintaining the full 40-hour working week, i.e. working days should last 10 hours.
• Over 30% of respondents believe that a shorter workweek can have a positive impact on employee productivity.
• 27% agree with this change only if wages remain at the previous level.
• 16% are neutral about the initiative, emphasizing that such a decision should be made by business itself without state intervention.
• At the same time, there are also skeptics: 13% of respondents either spoke out against any changes in wartime or believe that the economy now requires maximum involvement of labor resources.

Currently, the official working week in Ukraine is 40 hours for full-time employees . Although the law allows employers to reduce working hours without loss of income for the employee – for example, in the case of switching to a four-day schedule – such decisions require the consent of both parties. In addition, special conditions already apply to certain professions. In particular, teachers, doctors, young people under 18 years of age and other categories have a reduced working week in accordance with current regulations.

In addition to purely economic factors, experts also pay attention to the social aspect. One of them is the problem of employment of internally displaced persons. According to the Kyiv IDP Council, only 27% of IDPs in the capital have official jobs. Discrimination, a complex bureaucratic system, and violations of rules by institutions remain significant obstacles. For example, some applicants are denied employment due to the lack of paper certificates, even though the government has obliged institutions to independently request this data in electronic format.

These challenges are closely linked to the overall quality of the working environment in the country. In particular, whether Ukraine can create attractive conditions for those citizens who are currently abroad and whom the state hopes to return. According to analysts, more and more Ukrainians who plan to leave are not the middle class, as was the case before, but people living below the poverty line.

We will remind that People’s Deputy, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy Danylo Hetmantsev stated that a four-day work week may be officially introduced in Ukraine under certain conditions.

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