Finland's recently elected Prime Minister, Sanna Marin (34), has suggested that Finland would benefit from a flexible work schedule.
Rather than the five-day workweek and eight-hour workday that is currently the norm in Finland, Marin suggested in August 2019 that a four-day workweek or a six-hour workday would increase productivity in the Northern European country, News Now Finland explains.
Marin, the youngest female head of government and second-youngest head of government in the world, leads a five-party centre-left coalition, headed entirely by women.
“I believe people deserve to spend more time with their families, loved ones, hobbies and other aspects of life, such as culture," Marin said at a press conference.
"This could be the next step in the life of the working individual," the Prime Minister added.
Marin expressed interest in this idea of a shorter working week as a way to improve employee productivity while in the role of Finland's Minister for Transport and Communication, a post she held between June and December of 2019.
The 34-year-old was elected Prime Minister of Finland on 10 December 2019.
Evie McCullough
The Brussels Times
Correction: A previous version of this story said Marin suggested a four-day workweek and a six-hour workday together would improve employee productivity in Finland.
