Advice Direct Scotland is highlighting the benefits of a shorter working week

Scotland’s political parties have been urged to include plans for a four-day working week in their manifestos for the upcoming Holyrood election.

Advice Direct Scotland said the move has widespread public support and has been demonstrated to improve productivity and staff morale.

Scotland’s national advice service introduced the measure for its own staff in 2018, meaning employees receive the same pay but work for a day less each week. Since then, absenteeism has fallen by more than 75%, while service levels for those using the resource have remained the same.

Recent studies have also found people in Scotland to be in favour of the move.

A report last year revealed 70% backed a four-day week, with only eight per cent saying they opposed or strongly opposed the idea.

All parties contesting next month’s Scottish Parliament elections are expected to publish their manifestos in the next fortnight.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “The four-day week has been shown to work in the places where it has been tried, and the idea has strong public support in Scotland.

“It is well established in productive and efficient economies like Norway and Denmark and looks set to be introduced in New Zealand too.

“This isn’t about businesses just giving staff a free day off each week. We know from our own experience that staff are far happier and more productive as a result of the four-day week, and that absenteeism has fallen significantly.

“There is much to be gained for businesses which adopt a four-day week. For those which can make it work, they will soon find the positives far outweigh any negatives.

“By including this in their manifestos ahead of the May vote, Scotland’s political parties can send a very strong message to businesses of all sizes about the value of this approach.”