“Question of the near future”
The idea of moving from a five‑day week to four days is approaching, though for now it remains gradual and voluntary rather than forced by law. Some firms already experiment with shorter weeks through remote work or part‑time arrangements. Even at the height of the pandemic, trimming the workweek was seen as a way to protect staff and keep businesses afloat. The emphasis here is on steady evolution rather than abrupt mandates, especially for industries that run around the clock where a shortened week might not be feasible from the start, according to Nilov speaking to RIA Novosti.
Switching to a four‑day pattern for certain sectors would directly affect profits in the short term. Yet the belief is that the market will naturally optimize practices when possible, and artificial pressure to shorten or lengthen the week would only cause harm.
The deputy notes that a healthy balance between work and personal life is achievable, a lesson underscored by the coronavirus crisis. As technology advances and artificial intelligence increasingly takes on routine tasks, some labor costs will shift to equipment and software, freeing time for individuals to invest in their own skills and growth. This shift is already reshaping expectations around productivity and the use of time.
Today’s digital transformation is evident worldwide. Companies require less physical stamina and more cognitive capability. People move from being traditional workers to operating complex systems and machines. In this context, a new reform in working conditions is timely.
2019 initiative
Dmitry Medvedev first broached the four‑day work week at the 108th session of the International Labour Organization in Geneva in June 2019, while he was head of the Russian government. He pointed to employers needing to weigh the interests of their staff. The future, he argued, could feature a four‑day schedule as chronic work stress and the constant race for success reduce productivity and harm economic outcomes.
Medvedev urged fresh approaches to how the workday and workplace are structured, highlighting flexible hours, remote formats, and on‑call arrangements when necessary. He stressed that technological progress has already displaced some jobs while creating new roles, making a shorter week more plausible in some contexts.
On October 1 of that year, the Ministry of Labor in Russia delivered a report to the government exploring the potential for a four‑day work week. It noted that a rapid, mandatory cut in hours carried risks as well as potential benefits, including higher labor costs and increased production expenses, and called for careful study.
The ministry also mentioned discussions with authorities, employers, and trade unions about the issue within the Russian tripartite commission for social and labor relations. The plan included forming a working group on working hours and flexible employment within RTK structures and evaluating how to protect health, boost productivity, support professional growth, and improve the harmony between family life and work, along with broader cultural and leisure opportunities.
“Reducing hours while keeping pay constant would require safeguards for health and productivity, alongside opportunities for personal and professional development, better balance of duties at home and work, and time for sports and culture”, the ministry stated.
“He’s crazy, isn’t he?”
In January of this year, the Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council spoke with RIA Novosti about adjusting the four‑day week as the economy matures. He recalled that during the ILO discussion the reaction ranged from astonishment to applause and concern about earnings. Critics wondered if shorter weeks would mean less income, while supporters argued the arrangement could deliver long‑term gains.
He noted that the topic has roots going back to the 1960s and has been tested in multiple countries. Some places have implemented four‑day schedules legally or in practice. The key question remains: is the economy ready for such a shift? He emphasized that a single legal act cannot instantly create the change; prerequisites must mature first.
In modern Russia, several firms have moved to a four‑day week. Businessman Sergey Polonsky mentioned that the shift occurred in the Mirax Group more than a decade ago. He argued that shorter weeks reduce burnout and improve decision quality, suggesting productivity does not necessarily decline when workers have more time to rest and recover. In fact, staff often accomplish as much in four days as they did in five.
The broader takeaway is that a four‑day pattern is possible where conditions support it, provided there is a deliberate approach to health, learning, and balanced living across the workforce. The conversation continues as companies experiment and governments study the best pathways forward, with ongoing attention to the realities of different industries and the impact on output and well‑being. The debate is framed by examples from around the world and anchored in practical considerations about efficiency, morale, and sustainable growth.
[citation: Public statements and government reports on labor reform and the four‑day week are summarized from official releases and interviews with policy figures.]