Trade unions are pushing for a move to a four-day working week, as part of Scotland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Teaching unions are supportive of the campaign, which has highlighted government support for such a move in Spain.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and other groups are today calling on first minister Nicola Sturgeon to introduce a national subsidy for companies that switch to a 32-hour working week, with no loss of pay.

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They point to a pilot scheme in Spain where similar proposals have been backed by €50 million (£44 million) of government funding.

A motion passed at the SNP conference in November said an independent Scotland should consider a four-day working week as part of a wider review of working practices.

The STUC, along with Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and other groups, has written to the first minister asking her to consider the move.

A four-day week ‘would boost teacher wellbeing’

Their letter says there is an opportunity for change because the pandemic “has thrown the world of work totally up in the air”.

A spokesperson for the EIS teaching union told Tes Scotland: “Excessive working hours are an unhealthy aspect of UK working practices across the board.

“Recalibrating the norms around work-life balance not only would be hugely beneficial in terms of the health and wellbeing of employees but it would also be an opportunity to create greater employment prospects.”

Seamus Searson, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA), said: “As a result of the pandemic, working practices have needed to change. This has led to questions over the way people work and, in particular, how to get the best out of workers.

“Most workers, like teachers, work longer hours to carry out their duties. Teachers’ work is never-ending - there is always something else that needs to be done.”

Mr Searson added: “Hopefully the pandemic has shown the valuable job that teachers do every day and how difficult it is (ask any parent who is trying to home-school).

“If teachers are to be valued as educators rather than childminders who keep children entertained whilst the rest of the world gets on with ‘real’ work, then managing teachers’ workload needs to be a priority.”

Mr Searson said that teaching unions had “constantly argued for a reduction in contact time with pupils” and that, by this measure, “Scottish teachers are [in international terms] at the higher end of the scale”.

Joe Ryle, of the 4 Day Week Campaign, said: “A four-day week with no loss of pay is backed by a big majority of Scots, SNP members, the trade-union movement and Scottish businesses, so Nicola Sturgeon has no excuses for not acting.

“Shorter working hours are the best way to share work more equally across the economy during a recession and would bring many other benefits, such as improved mental health, a better work-life balance and a boost in productivity.”

When Tes Scotland sought views on Twitter about a four-day week, one secondary depute head suggested a “middle ground” in which Fridays were given over to “wellbeing” activities, such as sport, outdoor learning, art and mental health support.

Another secondary teacher backed a four-day week, “but only if didn’t make the other four [days] a nightmare!”

One primary teacher wrote a haiku poem to convey their thoughts on the prospect of a four-day week:

“Yes yes yes yes yes,

“Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes,

“Yes, hell yes!”