SaltWire's Atlantic regional weather forecast for October 17, 2023] | SaltWireMADRID - Four-day work weeks improved Spanish workers' health such as by lowering stress while reducing fuel emissions and benefiting children, a pilot programme showed on Tuesday.
Many participants used the long weekends to develop healthier habits such as practicing sport, resting and eating homemade food, according to an independent commission of health and social science experts that evaluated the programme. A drop in the use of motor vehicles led to better air quality on the four Mondays during the programme's period, as less nitrogen dioxide was emitted, according to the city's daily emissions measurements.A high percentage of those surveyed said they were more likely to read, study, watch films and pursue hobbies like photography, music or painting, the commission said. It did not specify the percentage.
While the hospitality and tourism sectors served more customers during extended weekends, retailers reported a decrease in sales and emergency medical services may have been overextended as more healthcare workers took time off, the report said.