The other day, several Russian officials raised the issue of the length of the working day and working week, or rather. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Labor Minister Maxim Topilin predicted that the working day in Russia would be reduced to 4-6 hours in the future. The deputy chairman of the Bank of Russia was also there, who suggested that in the next 15 years, Friday in our country will become a day off. Adding all this up, in the most favorable scenario we can get a 4-day work week, the duration of which will be 14-24 hours. All this will become real thanks to labor automation and the widespread use of robots...

And even though all this is more reminiscent of the scenario of another, futuristic Russia, there are still trends in the world to reduce work time. And what is noteworthy about this issue is precisely that the duration of time spent on work is not at all interconnected with the final results. economic results countries - most successful countries have a much shorter working week. Although this, however, is not always reflected in the actual time worked. Taking this into account, Careerist.ru decided to find out where in the world the law establishes the shortest working day and working week. The Netherlands unexpectedly became the winner.

1. Netherlands

This European kingdom suddenly became a country with the shortest working week - there it is only 27 hours, despite the fact that the average working day lasts about 7.5 hours. In the mid-00s, the Dutch were the first in the world to introduce a working week of less than 30 hours, and this did not have any negative effect on the economy. Many citizens of the kingdom work 4 weeks a week, and almost always these are young parents, but there are also examples when entire enterprises implement such a schedule. With all this, the Dutch occupy second to last place in the world in terms of the amount of time worked - only the Germans work less than them. Thus, according to OECD data, in 2015 in the Land of Tulips, on average, only about 1.4 thousand hours were worked (in Russia - 1.98 thousand hours).

Agree, it's impressive. But even such records do not stop the Dutch - they want to work even less. Those who decide to do this switch to hourly wage rates. There, an hour of work on average costs employers about $30...

2. Finland

The Finns are also doing well – their working week may be only 32 hours, although they work an average of 38 hours– such a working week is usually established employment contracts. It is also interesting that in Finland there are also maximum limits for the working week - no more than 40 hours. It is noteworthy that the Finns themselves are confident that they work the least in Europe - such data is provided by the Finnish Center for Economic Research, citing Eurostat. Local analysts say short work hours have a negative impact on the state's economy and competitiveness, although the average hourly wage of $33 casts doubt on such claims.

3. France

The French are also far from the most important workaholics in the world; their working week officially lasts 35 hours. And strangely enough, trade unions continue to wage a long-term struggle to reduce it, and reduce the working day to 6 hours - this issue was even raised as part of the recent presidential election campaign there. And most importantly, this should not affect the 1.5 hour lunch break! The indicator of time worked per year is only 1.48 thousand hours. But at the same time, not all French people prefer to work 7 hours a day - at least 50% of workers work 1-2 hours more. More than a third of lawyers manage to work 55 hours a week! Why then are they fighting to shorten the working week? Overtime – here they are paid more generously than regular working hours.

4. Ireland

AND The Irish are not far behind the French - they work 35.3 hours a week. Although, unlike its neighbors in the rating, Ireland is frankly inferior to them in economic development, as, in fact, in the matter of implementation modern technologies. Interestingly, back in the 80s, the Irish worked much more than their territorial neighbors - local standards established a working week of 44 hours. Today they have been significantly reduced, but economic indicators have not increased as a result. Adding insult to injury is the low development of the local labor market, Brexit in 2016 and other problems that force the Irish to go to work in neighboring England. By the way, as in Finland, Irish legislation establishes maximum duration working week, which since 1997 should not exceed 48 working hours. So the range is impressive.

5. Israel

Israel, despite all expectations, also occupies a good position in terms of the length of the working week - the average is only 36.3 hours. The expert community says about Israelis that they work little, but do a lot. There is an opinion in the world that the citizens of Israel are hardworking people, although they themselves consider themselves a lazy nation. This is not to say that Israelis do not have economic problems, but allowances must be made for the frozen conflict in the country. By the way, the officially established average is 42 hours, and only after that do overtime begin to be counted.

6. Denmark

Denmark has not only the happiest pensioners, but also the happiest workers - their working week is 37.5 hours. But don't think that they work them out completely. Thus, many institutions also include a 30-minute lunch break during these hours, which reduces the amount of time worked to 35 hours. The average Dane spends about 7 hours and 20 minutes at work per day, but at the same time earns quite serious money even for Europe - a whopping 37.5 € per hour, which is a third more than the EU average. By the way, according to OECD data, the average hours worked are also quite low and incomparable with Russian ones - in 2015, the average Dane worked about 1.45 thousand hours.

7. Germany

The whole world is sure that the Germans are the most hardworking nation in the world, and the residents of Germany themselves are in no hurry to dispel this stereotype. Although statistical indicators indicate the opposite. Having statutory working week of 38 working hours, Germans work on average only 1.37 thousand hours per year, which allows them to occupy a leading position by working the least in the world (working the least number of hours in the world, to be more correct). In terms of a working week, that's just over 26 hours! But as everyone knows, due to high productivity, this does not at all affect the country’s economic indicators. At the same time, the minimum hourly rate is 8.5 €, and the average is about 25 €. Yes, one can only envy the productivity of the Germans.

8. Belgium

Recently they have been working 38 hours a week in Belgium too– the corresponding bill was adopted there in 2016. Upper limits were also set - a maximum of Belgians can work 45 hours a week. Although 38 hours is enough for them, the average hourly wage in the country exceeds 39 €, which allows them to be leaders in this indicator among the EU countries. The average working day is impressive - which for the average Belgian lasts only 7 hours and 7 minutes. By the way, the Belgians themselves admit that of this time they spend only 3 hours 47 minutes directly on performing functional duties. There are no problems with work either - Belgium has a developed labor market and broad legislative protection for workers. At the same time, many employers take care of their employees by introducing, for example, a 4-day work week. Like, a rested and happy employee is a productive employee.

9. Norway

Norwegian law defines a fixed working week, which is 39 working hours. Local statistics show that the average Norwegian spends 7 hours 31 minutes at work every day, and still manages to achieve one of the highest productivity levels in the world. Norwegian GDP per man-hour is replenished by $88 of domestic product - this is the second figure in the world after Luxembourg. According to the OECD, Norwegians did not work that much in 2015 - the average is 1.42 thousand hours per year.

It should be noted that countries with a working week that is shorter than 40 hours are rather an exception to the rule - most countries adopt just such a standard. But there are also many striking exceptions, where citizens work much more. For example, Japan, where locals work 50 hours a week. But even this is not as much as the hardworking Chinese, whose working week lasts 60 hours, working day - 10 hours, and average duration lunch break - 20 minutes... There is something to think about!

(ILO) made a proposal to reduce the working week to four days. As stated Head of the State Duma Committee on Labor Andrey Isaev(“United Russia”), this week it will be.

Why do they want to introduce a four-day working week?

A four-day work week, according to experts, will increase the number of jobs and reduce the burden on the environment. ILO representatives cite the results of various studies that show that a short week has a beneficial effect on labor productivity. In addition, employees have more personal time, which allows them to monitor their health. A short workweek is also beneficial for business, as it increases staff motivation, reduces absenteeism, reduces the risk of errors and accidents, and also prevents staff turnover.

Is Russia ready to switch to a four-day week?

The Moscow Federation of Trade Unions (MFP) supports the transition to a four-day working week. Trade unions are in favor of hourly wages at the rate of 128 rubles 91 kopecks per hour and for reducing working hours to 32, and not 40 hours, as now.

However, according to experts, Russians have no chance of switching to a four-day working week in the coming years. According to a Headhunter study, in Russia only every tenth employer approves of the “four-day week”, and every fourth is categorically against it. “Obviously, the material component of work prevails over personal matters and the value of free time,” says Managing Director of Headhunter Mikhail Zhukov.

In addition, labor is expensive in Russia, and the level of labor productivity lags far behind Europe. “We are two to three times inferior in terms of output in the manufacturing sectors, and so far this is made up for by hours of work,” he said Igor Polyakov from the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting. If working hours are reduced by 20%, the cost of production will increase, which will negatively affect the population. According to Andrei Isaev, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor, in Russia it makes sense to discuss not a four-day working week, but a reduction in working hours while maintaining wages.

What is the length of the working week in Russia?

Based on Article 91 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the working week in Russia cannot exceed 40 hours per week. This is the general maximum working time for all workers, both permanent, temporary and seasonal, and regardless of what their schedule is.

• for workers under the age of sixteen - no more than 24 hours a week;
• for workers aged sixteen to eighteen years - no more than 35 hours per week
• for employees who are disabled people of group I or II - no more than 35 hours per week;
• for workers whose working conditions are classified as harmful or dangerous - no more than 36 hours per week.

How long is the working week in other countries?

In most countries of the world the working week continues, as in Russian Federation, Monday through Friday.

In some countries, days off are days other than Saturday and Sunday. So, in Israel the main day off is Saturday, the work week begins on Sunday and ends on Thursday or Friday afternoon. The standard work week is 43 hours. The working day is 8 hours. In all new states that were formed after the collapse of the USSR, the working week is 40 hours.

And in Muslim countries, the main day off is Friday. Work week lasts from Saturday to Wednesday (Algeria and Saudi Arabia), from Saturday to Thursday (Iran), or from Sunday to Thursday (Egypt, Syria, Iraq, United Arab Emirates).

The Chinese are considered the hardest workers in the world. In China there is a six-day workweek and a 10-hour workday. True, there is vacation in the Middle Kingdom, but it is only 10 days, and the lunch break is 20 minutes.

Length of working week in different countries :

1. Netherlands - 30.5 hours.
2. Finland - 33 hours.
3. France - 35 hours.
4. Ireland - 35.3 hours.
5. USA - 34.5 hours (the working week was shortened due to the global economic crisis).
6. Denmark - 37 hours. In government agencies in work time A daily 30-minute lunch break is included.
7. Germany - 38 hours.
8. Norway - 39 hours.
9. Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania - 40 hours.
10. Greece, Austria, Israel - 43 hours.
11. UK - average 43.7 hours.
12. Argentina - 44 hours, of which four are on Saturday.
13. Mexico, Peru, India, Colombia, Nepal, Thailand - 48 hours.
14. Japan - 50 hours.
15. China - 60 hours.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) is a specialized UN agency dealing with regulatory issues labor relations. Created in 1919 on the basis of the Versailles Peace Treaty as structural unit League of Nations. As of 2012, 185 states are members of the ILO. The organization's headquarters is located in Geneva.

Many people complain that they spend their whole lives at work. But we don’t even work 10 hours a day, like the people of China

Which countries have the shortest working week? Photo: Pinterest

On this day in 1919, an 8-hour working day was introduced in Holland. And despite the fact that residents of the post-Soviet space (for example, Ukraine) continue to work 8 hours a day, in some countries a reduced schedule is the norm.

Hardworking Europe?

The European Parliament has set a maximum working time of 48 hours per week. All overtime hours are taken into account here. Some countries have also introduced their own restrictions. For example, Finland believes that its residents need to work at least 32 hours, but not more than 40 hours. Most often, Europeans work about 40 hours a week.

Average working hours in Europe (per week)

IN the Netherlands The standard working week is 38 hours. However, depending on the employer, employees may spend between 36 and 40 hours at the workplace.

The work week lasts 35 hours Ireland And France. However, in reality, employees spend more time at work. In the 90s of the last century, the introduction of a 35-hour week in France caused a storm of indignation. Recently the government returned to the issue of increasing the number of working hours, after which a series of strikes and demonstrations followed.

Residents Denmark work 7 hours 21 minutes a day. The average working week of 37.5 hours is one of the lowest in Europe. But at the same time, a Dane earns about 37.6 euros per hour, which is 30% more than the EU average.

Many people support the idea of ​​a 21-hour work week. Photo: Business Insider

Germans are considered workaholics all over the world. But the work week Germany lasts no more than 38 hours. At the same time, it is common among German companies to reduce the working hours in the event of financial problems instead of dismissing employees. Residents also work no more than 39 hours a week Norway.

The most hardworking people in Europe, as it turns out, are workers in Great Britain, Greece And Portugal. The British, working 43.7 hours a week, very often stay late at work. The Portuguese work 8 hours 48 minutes a day, an average of 48 hours a week. But at the same time, experts note that not all this time people are engaged in their work responsibilities. The European “hard workers” also include residents of Greece - their working week lasts 43.7 hours. However, this cannot be said based on the state of the economy in the country...

Hardworking Asia!

In Asia, people work much more. Average working day in China lasts 10 hours, while working days are six days. This results in 60 working hours per week. The Chinese have 20 minutes for lunch and 10 days a year for vacation.

Workers in China. Photo taken from Twitter

IN Japan The standard work contract provides for up to 40 working hours per week. However, we have all heard about the importance of promotion career ladder for the Japanese. And this often depends on the amount of time a person spends at his workplace. Purposeful residents of Japan often stay late at the office in the evenings and come there on Saturday. Therefore, in some cases the work week reaches 50 hours.

IN Thailand And India also a six-day week, most workers work up to 48 hours a week. IN government institutions, and also in the offices of Western companies there is a 40-hour working week.

How is it optimal?

Several years ago, in an interview, one of richest people planet, Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim said that people should work no more than 3 days a week. However, the working day should last 11 hours, and people should retire at age 70 or even later.

Carlos Slim believes that it would be optimal to work 3 days a week, but at the same time 11 hours a day. Photo: siapress.ru

There are also many supporters of a 4-day work week. This schedule will be most convenient for the baby boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964), experts say. This way they can take more care of their parents or grandchildren.

There are also those who support the idea of ​​a 21-hour work week. In their opinion, this approach will solve a number of problems: unemployment, excessive consumption, high level carbon emissions and even inequality. A report from the UK's New Economics Foundation says a shorter working week will disrupt vicious circle modern life when everyone lives to work, works to earn, and earns to consume more.

How long do you think the working week should last? Share in the comments!

Experts compared the working hours of residents of different countries of the world
The hardest workers in Europe are the Portuguese, and the happiest workers live in Denmark - they work the least (except for the Belgians) but earn the most. For comparison: the average Dane works about 7 hours 21 minutes per day, and the average Portuguese - 8 hours 48 minutes.

Experts from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) compared the working hours of residents of different countries around the world. This took into account the number of hours spent not only on performing their duties at work, but also the so-called unpaid time, that is, which people spend on housework.

The researchers believe that this measure of total work is important because “unpaid work reveals implicit income, and ignoring household work can distort income inequality and poverty rates.” As an example, the OECD gives two families with equal income, but in one both parents work, and in the other only one. Where both parents work, cleaning and childcare services have to be purchased. Thus, richer countries tend to work less, since “along with the industrialization of the country, most household services can be purchased,” the researchers state.

The shortest working day in the world is found among the inhabitants of Belgium - on average, each Belgian works only 7 hours 7 minutes a day, of which only 3 hours 47 minutes are spent directly on work; accordingly, no one pays the Belgians for the remaining work time.

The Danes follow the residents of Belgium - they work only 14 minutes longer than the Belgians, but at the same time they spend less time on work and a little more time on housework. By the way, according to the German statistical office, residents of Denmark have become leaders in the EU in terms of hourly wage payments. On average, a Dane earns about 37.6 euros per hour for his work - this is about 30% more than the average payment in the European Union. Thus, residents of the Scandinavian country can be considered the happiest workers in Europe - they work less, but earn the most.

The third place in terms of working hours is taken by the Germans - they work only 3 minutes longer than the Danes and 17 minutes longer than the Belgians.

The most important fans of strikes and demonstrations in the EU to defend their benefits, the French, are in fourth place - their working day lasts only 8 minutes longer than the Danes, 24 minutes longer than the Belgians, and 3 minutes longer than Germans. But for their work, residents of France earn on average 33 euros per hour, which is about 12% more than residents of Germany receive (29.2 euros). By the way, as Focus writes, the most expensive industries in Germany, with the highest costs, were the energy sector, where the average hourly payment reached 44.5 euros, as well as banks and insurance companies - 43.70 euros per hour. The employer's expenses were lowest in the guest business, where he paid approximately 14.3 euros per hour.

Following the French in terms of working hours are the Dutch (7 hours 30 minutes), the Finns (7 hours 31 minutes), the Norwegians (7 hours 31 minutes), the British (7 hours 53 minutes), and the Italians close the top ten (7 hours 55 minutes) .

Strangely enough, the Portuguese work the longest in Europe – 8 hours 48 minutes a day. Of these, they spend 4 hours and 55 minutes on their work duties, and the remaining time on household chores. “Thus, a siesta in southern countries does not at all mean that their working day is short,” conclude OECD experts.

By the way, Bulgaria remains the stingiest employer in the European Union - enterprises in the country last year paid their employees an average of only 3.1 euros per hour.