A 4 day working week could improve gender equality

Much has been made of the ways a four-day work week could increase productivity and worker satisfaction. But the shift could also be a huge win for gender equality.

The gender pay gap starts to expand after women have children. At first, both parents’ incomes take a knock, but men’s quickly recover. Women’s never do. The “motherhood penalty” is reflected in a woman’s lower pay—and often lower status at work—throughout her career.

This is due to factors such as working fewer hours due to prioritizing child care, cultural norms meaning employers look more favorably on women taken parental leave in countries where either parent can, and that men are often already in higher paid jobs so the mother taking more time off is financially advantageous.

A four-day working week could help reduce these factors, as well as reducing overall stress levels for all employees.