英検 準1級 要約問題 サンプル練習問題 ⑦ Four-Day Work Week

Read the article below and summarize it in your own words as far as possible in English.

Summarize it between 60 and 70 words.

In recent years, a growing number of companies around the world have begun experimenting with a four-day work week. Under this arrangement, employees complete their regular duties in four days rather than five while receiving full pay. Several countries, including Iceland and Japan, have conducted trials of this model, and debates about its potential benefits and drawbacks are becoming increasingly common in both workplaces and government circles.

Supporters argue that shorter working hours can lead to notable improvements in employee well-being. Workers who feel less stressed and better rested tend to demonstrate greater creativity and concentration. Moreover, having an additional day off allows employees to spend more time with their families or pursue personal interests, which often strengthens their sense of satisfaction and long-term commitment to their employer.

Critics, however, raise serious concerns about implementing such a schedule more broadly. In fields where continuous service is essential, such as healthcare or retail, reducing working days could create significant gaps in coverage, ultimately harming the quality of service received by customers. Some economists also warn that fewer working hours may slow overall productivity growth, making it increasingly difficult for companies to stay competitive in a demanding global economy.