Petition · past parliament

CALL FOR GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE THE WORK WEEK TO 4 DAYS! SCRAP THE 5 DAY WORK WEEK

Rejected 10 signatures

What the petition asks

Legislate and reduce the Work Week to 4 days.

The current 5 day work week system does not work.

We want the Government/Parliament to take example modelling from other countries that have this and benefit from it first and foremost by having a happier society.
If we reduce the work week to 4 days, people will be happier with their lives, their families and their jobs.

Right now, people are generally unhappy in the UK.

We have seen an increase in mental health issues such as depression and stress, lack of important family time, which is vital to societal development.

If people are overworked and not well-rested, this creates a hostile setting for society.

We currently have an unhealthy system, which is having a detrimental effect on society.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because it's about something that the UK Government and Parliament are not responsible for. This would be a decision for employers.

UK law places limits on the total amount of time someone can work during a week and the minimum amount they can be paid an hour, but it doesn't specify how many or which days of the week they have to work.

You could start a new petition calling for a law placing limits on the number of days someone is allowed to work during a week if that is something you would like to see happen.

Timeline

7 Apr 2020 Petition opened for signatures
26 May 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 10
Status Rejected
Rejected 26 May 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.