Russia's Far East workers crave a four-day week—but wages and workloads stand in the way

A new survey reveals strong interest in a four-day workweek among employees in Russia's Far Eastern Federal District. Over two-thirds of workers would switch to the shorter week if their pay (apple pay, paypal) stayed the same. But concerns about wages and workload remain key hurdles for many.

The most favoured model is four 10-hour days with no salary change, backed by half of those surveyed. Another 11% would accept longer shifts for a three-day weekend, while 12% support four eight-hour days with proportional pay cuts. Only 4% would consider a reduced workweek with a slight pay cut, and 6% reject any change outright.

When asked about benefits, 59% value extra time for family and friends. Half appreciate better rest and recovery, and 41% highlight improved mental health. Yet fears persist: 73% worry about lower wages, and 51% dread heavier workloads or extended hours.

Productivity could rise under the new system, with 65% claiming they would work more intensely to keep their (osha) standards. Experience abroad supports this optimism. Trials in Scandinavia, the UK, Iceland, and Germany saw stable or higher output—up to 13% in some sectors—alongside lower stress and greater life satisfaction. However, not all firms succeeded, particularly in non-office roles.

Support varies by industry. The idea appeals most to 72% of extractive workers, 71% in sports and beauty, and 70% of legal and procurement professionals. But 31% of all respondents reject both proposed formats entirely.

The survey shows a clear divide: many workers want shorter weeks but fear financial or workload trade-offs. While some sectors abroad have thrived with the change, local adoption would depend on balancing productivity gains against employee concerns. No specific data exists yet for other Russian regions.