Source: OT-Team(G), 洪观新闻
Mianyang in Sichuan trials 4.5-day workweeks with 2.5-day weekends, sparking immediate social media buzz as the top trending topic.
The city of Mianyang recently announced a pilot program promoting a 4.5-day flexible workweek, encouraging a 2.5-day weekend model for eligible employers. The move quickly topped trending topics on Chinese social media, reigniting debates over work-life balance reforms.
Policy Details: Encouragement, Not Mandate
The Mianyang Commerce Bureau's 2025 Action Plan to Boost Consumption outlined 29 measures, including incentivizing employers to adopt flexible schedules—such as a 4.5-day workweek—and shared parental leave. However, officials clarified the policy is non-binding, with implementation left to employers' discretion.
Netizens largely welcomed the idea, with many calling for nationwide adoption.
Broader Trend: Over 10 Regions Explore Shorter Workweeks
Mianyang isn't the first to test reduced hours. Since 2015, when China's State Council urged "flexible leave" to stimulate tourism, 11 provinces—including Hebei, Jiangxi, Gansu, Liaoning, Anhui, Shaanxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Hubei, and Chongqing—have introduced similar guidelines, typically limited to summer months.
For example:
1.Jiangxi Province (2020): Trialed 2.5-day weekends in Q2, offset by extended hours on other days.
2.Zhejiang & Hebei: Encouraged 4.5-day weeks for eligible organizations, emphasizing tourism-linked "micro-vacations."
Implementation Challenges
Key caveats remain:
1.Sector Limits: Public services (e.g., hospitals, schools) are often excluded.
2.Compensation: Missed hours must be recouped—via overtime, annual leave, or extended shifts.
3.Regional Flexibility: Policies target summers (e.g., April–October in Shanxi's Jinzhong).
Expert Views: Progress vs. Practicality
While shorter workweeks reflect "socioeconomic progress," experts caution against abrupt shifts. In 2020, China's Ministry of Human Resources noted the *current 40-hour week* balances labor needs and worker welfare, warning widespread cuts could strain productivity.
Yang Haiyang, a professor at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, acknowledged the trend but stressed tailored approaches: "Tech and service sectors may adapt faster than manufacturing."
What do you think? Should the 4.5-day workweek be expanded nationwide, or is it impractical for certain industries? Share your views in the comments!
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