Flexible approach to the four-day workweek: from theory to implementation

The purpose of this study is to identify key trends in employee expectations and readiness to transition to reduced work hours. Based on the results of exploratory research conducted by the author, this article ana lyses the opportunities and desires of Russian labour market participants to reduce their work schedules. The results are interpreted by using a systems approach, general scientific methods, and factor analysis, which allows us to establish the dependence of employees’ choice or rejection of reduced schedules on various factors, ranging from gender and age to current work style and workload. Based on a previous analysis of regulatory acts pertaining to labour and employment, it is assumed that the implementation of a specific model of a short workweek is possible depending on current organisational labour conditions. Proposals are made for the application of various reduced work schedule options depending on the current organisation of work time and taking into account the characteristics of different categories of staff members. This research represents a logical continuation of the author’s series of articles devoted to reducing working hours. The results obtained may be useful for all participants in the labour market: government agencies, employers, and employees when considering the possibility of introducing a shortened work schedule or switching to various hybrid formats of flexible employment.