Valencia is leading a new experiment by piloting a 32-hour workweek on a monthly basis. The city began this ongoing trial this week, aligning with upcoming local holidays that include Easter Monday, San Vicente Ferrer, May Day, and April 24. The city’s mayor commented that the City Council is not entering into labor negotiations or collective bargaining with employers and workers. Instead, the focus is on exploring whether shortening the workday can be managed without disrupting city life, and what implications it might have for residents and services.
The mayor noted a curiosity about how the change would influence health outcomes, particularly for workers on sick leave, a category that represents a substantial portion of many company payrolls. The city intends to observe how the 32-hour week would impact family balance, worker well-being, and overall morale. Early polls show mixed expectations, underscoring the need for careful assessment.
against climate change
There is also a climate dimension to the initiative. A theoretical one-day-per-week reduction in commuting could lower traffic, cut greenhouse gas emissions, decrease air pollution, and reduce noise levels. In addition, some sectors such as hospitality and dining might see economic benefits from more efficient staffing and scheduling. These are among the factors Valencia wants to evaluate.
Survey of more than 2,000 people
Ribó emphasized that the evaluation will occur in two main ways: a large-scale survey covering roughly two thousand to two thousand two hundred residents, and an in-depth analysis drawing on a broad set of indicators collected by the City Council. Data will be reviewed comprehensively with the goal of deriving meaningful conclusions, with results anticipated around mid-July.
pilot program
The pilot aims to test the municipal innovation center Ships through a four-day, 32-hour week. The assessment will focus on three major areas: health and social welfare, climate action, and economic impact. Researchers will examine how time use affects working life, personal well-being, and rest, as well as changes in greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, noise, energy use, transportation patterns, and the local economy. The study will include qualitative and quantitative interviews with key leaders and a representative sample of residents selected to reflect diverse perspectives.
Officials envision that the outcomes will contribute to a European and international report on the personal, workforce, and social consequences of the shorter workweek. Valencia joins a growing list of cities exploring similar pilots in the United Kingdom, Lithuania, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Iceland, Portugal, and Japan. Yet Valencia’s approach stands out as the first city-wide trial, highlighting its innovative character.
The project carries the campaign slogan “Work differently. Live better. Valencia tests itself,” and the evaluation will run through May 7, marking a clear timeline for feedback and learning.