This country is offering 4-day work week with right to ignore boss after work hours

The 4-day work week seems to be catching up. Belgium has become the latest country to offer its workers a 4-day week.

Belgian Prime Minister has announced a new labour policy and it gives a 4-day work week and in turn a long weekend to all govt and private employees.

The most eye-catching change, however, is the right to turn off work devices and ignore work-related messages without fear of reprisal after work hours.

The Prime Minister said that the idea behind the new policy is to help parents spend more time with children and to create an economy that is more innovative, sustainable and digital.

And all this is being offered without any reduction in salary.

So far so good. But there is a catch. The work hours remain the same - 38 hours a week. So, employees can choose to work longer hours for 4 days or have relaxed 5-day week.

In September 2021, Scotland launched a trial four-day work week. Iceland, Spain and Japan also tested four-day working weeks last year.

The UAE became the first country to transition to four-day work week officially in December last year.