Four-day workweek: the Ticino experiment that's revolutionizing work

Context

TL;DR

• Four-day workweek trial in Ticino with positive feedback.
• Employees reported improved work-life balance and motivation.
• Shorter workweek could benefit cross-border workers' quality of life.
• Tax and pension implications should be considered.

Key facts

• Trial Duration: Six months.
• Number of Employees: Around forty.
• Workweek Reduction: From 42 hours to 34 hours.
• Health Impact: Reduces professional burnout and improves health.
• Productivity Impact: Increases motivation and optimizes processes.
• Cross-Border Impact: More time for personal and family activities.
• Tax Implications: Withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions.
• Source: rsi.ch

The Four-Day Workweek Experiment

A Romandie and Zurich-based administrative services company trialed a four-day workweek with five paid days over six months. The goal was to assess the economic impact and effects on employees' health. The trial involved around forty employees, who could choose how to reduce their working hours. One employee opted for an extra day off each week while maintaining the same salary. 'It's life-changing,' they comment, highlighting that this option 'allows you to not waste Saturdays doing usual household chores.' By moving them to Friday, you 'have the entire weekend free: it's really cool!'

Trial Results

In early April, staff returned to a 42-hour workweek. However, feedback was positive. 'We had excellent feedback on the balance between personal and professional quality of life,' responds one colleague, while another highlights that 'teams were much more motivated.' The latter adds that 'knowing they had less time to complete assigned tasks,' processes were optimized 'to save time,' resulting in a '34-hour workweek instead of 42.'

Impact on Health and Productivity

Sickness-related absences have been rising in Switzerland for a decade. More companies are seeking solutions to reduce costs from this trend. The four-day workweek with five paid days is one such solution. 'People no longer see professional burnout as a badge of honor. And companies realize that their employees' poor health costs them too much,' notes Veit Hailperin, a work organization consultant. 'This is where the four-day week becomes a strategic response:' it improves employees' health and simultaneously 'boosts revenue and employer attractiveness.'

Implications for Cross-Border Workers

In Ticino, the trial of the shorter workweek could have significant implications for cross-border workers. With reduced working hours, employees could have more time for personal and family activities, improving their quality of life. Moreover, increased motivation and productivity could translate into better career opportunities and remuneration.

What Cross-Border Workers Should Do

If you're a cross-border worker interested in trying the shorter workweek, it's important to gather information from your employer. Some companies in Ticino are already experimenting with this model, and others may follow suit. It's crucial to carefully weigh the pros and cons, considering your personal and professional needs. Additionally, be aware of the tax and pension implications, such as withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions.

Procedure for Cross-Border Workers

1. Gather information from your employer: Check if the company is trialing or planning to trial the shorter workweek. 2. Assess tax and pension implications: Consult a tax expert to understand the implications of withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions. 3. Plan personal activities: Organize personal and family activities to make the most of the extra free time. 4. Monitor results: Periodically evaluate the trial's results and adjust your approach accordingly.

Conclusions

The trial of the shorter workweek in Ticino presents an interesting opportunity for cross-border workers. However, it's important to carefully weigh the pros and cons and gather information from your employer and a tax expert. With proper planning, the shorter workweek could significantly improve the quality of life and productivity of cross-border workers.

For more information, consult the salary calculator to assess the impact of the shorter workweek on your income.

Operational details

The Impact on Health and Productivity

Absences from work due to illness have been steadily increasing in Switzerland for the past 10 years. More and more companies are therefore looking for solutions to reduce the costs associated with this phenomenon. The 4-day workweek with 5 paid days is one of these solutions. 'People no longer consider professional burnout as a kind of badge of honor. And companies realize that the poor health of employees costs them too much,' notes Veit Hailperin, a work organization consultant. 'This is where the 4-day week becomes a strategic response': it indeed improves the health of employees and at the same time 'increases turnover and attractiveness' of the employer.

Implications for Cross-Border Workers

In Ticino, the trial of the short week could have important implications for cross-border workers. With the reduction of working hours, employees could have more time for personal and family activities, improving the quality of life. Furthermore, the increased motivation and productivity could translate into better career opportunities and remuneration.

What to Do for Interested Cross-Border Workers

If you are a cross-border worker interested in trying the short week, it is important to inform yourself with your employer. Some companies in Ticino are already experimenting with this model, and others may follow suit. It is crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, considering your personal and professional needs. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the tax and pension implications, such as withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions.

Procedure for Cross-Border Workers

1. Inform yourself with your employer: Check if the company is experimenting with or plans to experiment with the short week. 2. Evaluate tax and pension implications: Consult a tax expert to understand the implications of withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions. 3. Plan personal activities: Organize personal and family activities to make the most of the additional free time. 4. Monitor results: Periodically evaluate the results of the trial and adapt your approach accordingly.

Conclusions

The trial of the short week in Ticino represents an interesting opportunity for cross-border workers. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons and inform yourself with your employer and a tax expert. With the right planning, the short week could significantly improve the quality of life and productivity of cross-border workers.

For more information, consult the salary calculator to evaluate the impact of the short week on your income.

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

The impact on health and productivity

Absences from work due to illness have been steadily increasing in Switzerland for the past 10 years. More and more companies are therefore seeking solutions to reduce the costs associated with this phenomenon. The 4-day workweek with 5 paid days is one of these solutions. 'People no longer consider professional burnout as a kind of badge of honor. And companies realize that the poor health of employees costs them too much,' notes Veit Hailperin, a work organization consultant. 'This is where the 4-day week becomes a strategic response': it improves the health of employees and at the same time 'increases revenue and attractiveness' of the employer.

Implications for cross-border workers

In Ticino, the trial of the short week could have important implications for cross-border workers. With the reduction of working hours, employees could have more time for personal and family activities, improving the quality of life. Furthermore, the increased motivation and productivity could translate into better career opportunities and remuneration.

What to do for interested cross-border workers

If you are a cross-border worker interested in trying the short week, it is important to inform yourself with your employer. Some companies in Ticino are already experimenting with this model, and others may follow suit. It is crucial to carefully evaluate the pros and cons, considering your personal and professional needs. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the tax and pension implications, such as withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions.

Procedure for cross-border workers

1. Inform yourself with your employer: Check if the company is experimenting with or plans to experiment with the short week. 2. Evaluate tax and pension implications: Consult a tax expert to understand the implications of withholding tax and AVS and LPP contributions. 3. Plan personal activities: Organize personal and family activities to make the most of the additional free time. 4. Monitor results: Periodically evaluate the results of the trial and adapt your approach accordingly.

Conclusions

The trial of the short week in Ticino represents an interesting opportunity for cross-border workers. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the pros and cons and inform yourself with your employer and a tax expert. With the right planning, the short week could significantly improve the quality of life and productivity of cross-border workers.

For more information, consult the salary calculator to assess the impact of the short week on your income.

Source: rsi.ch