Four-day week: French employees are excited, even if it means their days get longer

Barthélémy Philippe // Credits: MYCHELE DANIAU / AFP 7:12 a.m., February 11, 2024

The experiment of the 35-hour week in four days in the civil service requested by Gabriel Attal arouses the enthusiasm of the French. Proof that the Prime Minister hit the mark, the February edition of the AGPI Economy Barometer shows that nearly 8 out of 10 workers are in favor. The proportion even rises to 83% among 25-34 year olds, who are very sensitive to the balance between work and private life. These workers in favor of this reform are ready to see their days lengthened to complete the week at four days. 

“Doing 1 hour 45 minutes more or less, it doesn’t matter. If it’s to gain an extra day of rest, that would be really interesting,” declared on the microphone of Europe 1, Kevin, on a permanent contract in an employment company. display. For some workers, this extra day of rest would be synonymous with extra time for yourself. “Since Covid, we have learned to take time for ourselves. And that's what it's hard to do when you only have two consecutive days off. There, three days can really be great!” exclaims Prav, an employee in a bakery. 

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Improved well-being and reduced absenteeism 

For her part, Michelle works 39 hours a week in a cosmetics store. In four days, she would work "from 9:45 a.m. until 8:15 p.m. That's long days... But we have a great team, our organization takes good care of us. So it can be done. Three days of weekend- end with pleasure,” she explains. 

If certain companies, which have tested the four-day week, note an overall improvement in the well-being of employees and a reduction in absenteeism, the extended days that it involves can sometimes be difficult to bear, particularly in the most demanding professions. more physical.