THE SIX-HOUR WORKDAY

THE SIX-HOUR WORKDAY: LITERATURE AND CASES ON PRODUCTIVITY, WELL-BEING, AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS

Author 
Xhimi HYSA, POLIS University (Tirana, Albania)
Shefqet SUPARAKU, POLIS University (Tirana, Albania)

Abstract
The traditional eight-hour workday has been the cornerstone of industrial and post- industrial economies for over a century. Yet, experiments in recent times, especially in Sweden, have challenged this norm and brought in a six-hour workday. This article conducts a systematic literature review to explore the implications of a six-hour workday on productivity, employee well-being, and economic outcomes. In light of empirical evidence from Sweden and other countries, as well as theoretical frameworks such as Pareto's Principle and Parkinson's Law, this study examines whether shorter workdays can indeed lead to greater productivity, better work-life balance, and lower health care costs. However, these findings suggest that although the six-hour workday has potential, prevailing conditions inside organisations' settings and public attitudes greatly affect its success.