August 28, 2024
Lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen)Territory / Victoria, B.C. — The BC Greens are reimagining the future of work in British Columbia by backing a four-day workweek to promote a healthier work-life balance for all British Columbians.
“We can boost our province’s productivity while giving British Columbians a much-needed break,” said Sonia Furstenau, Leader of the BC Green Party. “We’re working to make that a reality through a four-day workweek for those exhausted by rising costs, burnout, inadequate healthcare, long commutes, and more.
“As we approach Labour Day, a day rooted in the celebration of workers’ rights and advancements, the next step in ensuring workers have a healthy work-life balance is a four-day workweek.
“After seven years of BC NDP government spending and sixteen years of right-wing cuts before that, British Columbia needs a new approach. This is a proactive measure that will start to tackle the root causes of the big problems we face by improving people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life without fuelling inflation by simply cutting cheques.”
The evidence from pilots and trials in BC, Canada, and globally show that a four-day workweek benefits both businesses and employees.
The BC Greens have a plan to incentivize this shift, easing the burden on businesses while making them more attractive to top talent.
“This is the future of work – it’s time for us to catch up and recognize it. We look forward to unveiling more in our platform,” said Furstenau.
Background:
– The BC Greens first introduced the concept of a four-day workweek in 2020, and in February 2023 advanced this initiative by proposing a pilot project.
– 93% of Canadians are interested in a four-day workweek, placing it in their top 3 professional benefits, alongside health insurance and flexible hours.
– The four-day workweek is rapidly gaining traction worldwide, with successful trials and implementations in places like Merritt, Maryland, the UK, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Spain, the UAE, Japan, and more. These efforts have consistently shown overwhelmingly positive results, including improved productivity, enhanced employee well-being, and substantial economic savings.
– Until 1926, the standard work week in the U.S. was six-day weeks. A five-day week became commonplace following shifts on the Ford factory line.
– The Great Depression cemented the forty-hour workweek under the Fair Labour Standards Act of 1937, as part of the New Deal. Discussions and trials around a four-day workweek represent the latest evolution.
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Media contact:
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary, BC Green Party
jojo.beattie@greenparty.bc.ca
Phone: +1 250-418-5528
