In the Netherlands, the traditional 40-hour workweek is becoming a thing of the past.

Employees now work an average of just 32 hours a week, while still receiving their full salaries. According to the Institute for Development and Research (IDR), productivity levels remain high despite fewer hours worked.

The shorter workweek has brought clear benefits.

Employees are less likely to suffer from burnout, unemployment remains low, and businesses continue to grow. The system has also contributed to one of the best work-life balances in Europe.

Women have played a key role in shaping this model, as many strongly support part-time work. Over time, the shorter workweek has spread across the country and is now seen as a standard rather than a special benefit.

Czechia: A Different Approach

In Czechia, the situation looks quite different. The standard workweek remains 40 hours, and only a small share of employees work part-time. According to Eurostat, less than 6% of Czechs work reduced hours, compared to more than 40% in the Netherlands.

Trade unions in Czechia have repeatedly called for shorter working hours, arguing that productivity has increased while wages and working conditions have not kept pace.

The Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) has proposed reducing the workweek to 37.5 hours without cutting salaries, but employers have so far resisted, citing rising costs and labor shortages.

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