LABOUR denied today that it will give workers the legal right to opt for a four-day working week.
The clarification came after Tory-supporting right-wing national newspapers declared the measure would be part of Labour’s commitment to improve the lives of working people, including their rights to flexibility in the hours they work.
A Whitehall spokesperson said: “We have no plans to impose a four-day working week on employers or employees.
“Any changes to employment legislation will be consulted on, working in partnership with business.”
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Good employers already recognise the benefits flexible working can bring to their workforces and businesses, whether it’s through increasing staff productivity or higher retention.
“Offering people flexible working arrangements makes good economic sense.
“It helps more people back into work and keeps more people in work, allowing workers to balance their professional and personal lives.
“This is about developing patterns of work needed for a modern economy and a modern workforce.
“The bad faith arguments being advanced by the likes of the Conservatives are simply out of date and do not stack up.”
Public service union Unison also supports the principle of a four-day working week backed by law.
The policy was adopted at the union’s annual conference in June in Brighton.
The motion from Unison’s Dorset branch said: “The fight for decent working hours has always been at the heart of union campaigning.
“Trade unions fought for an eight-hour day in the 19th century and a two-day weekend in the 20th.
“In the 21st, it is time to take the next step and win a four-day week with fair pay for all.”
Unison said research during a 2022 trial of the four-day working week showed that business performance and productivity increased for the companies that participated.
The union said the wellbeing of employees also improved, and the majority of firms (92 per cent) decided to continue with a four-day week.
Unison represents staff at South Cambridgeshire District Council, which was the first local authority to move to a four-day week with no loss of pay.
