A two-year experiment with a six-hour working day for care workers in Gothenburg, Sweden, has found significant benefits including reduced sick leave and improved staff wellbeing, despite higher costs. The trial at the Svartedalens retirement home, which ended this month, involved nurses switching from an eight-hour to a six-hour day for the same pay.
To maintain patient care hours, 15 new employees were hired, increasing gross costs by about €600,000 (£510,000) annually—a 22% rise. However, preliminary results showed a 10% drop in sick leave, reducing spending on temporary cover. Staff reported a 50% improvement in perceived health compared with colleagues on normal hours.
Employees also spent more time on social activities with patients, such as games and walks, particularly beneficial for those with dementia. One assistant nurse, Lise-Lotte Pettersson, said she was no longer exhausted after work and had more energy for family life.
Daniel Bernmar, leader of the Left party group on Gothenburg city council, denied reports the experiment had failed, noting economic costs were half the expected amount. A final analysis is due in March. The city council has allocated 20m Swedish krona (£1.8m) for similar trials in other public sectors, though there are no national plans for a six-hour day.
Meanwhile, in France, rightwing presidential candidate François Fillon has proposed reverting to a 39-hour working week from the current 35-hour limit, with immediate application in the public sector and negotiated deals allowing up to 48 hours in the private sector.
