Uniqlo Will Give Some Workers A Four-Day Workweek

Employees on the four-day system won’t see their total work hours change, as they’ll work 10-hour shifts instead of the eight-hour stretches of the five-day schedule. The option will be available to about 10,000 of its full-time, in-store workers in its Japan locations.

More productive employees could also contribute to Uniqlo’s rapid growth. Industry observers told that with Japan facing labor shortages, other retailers, restaurants and service businesses might follow Uniqlo’s lead and offer a compressed work week to attract workers.

43 per cent of US companies already offer a four-day work week to their employees.

If the trial goes well, it will consider expanding the program to its corporate headquarters and more stores. This test doesn’t mean that employees will necessarily get three days off in a row.

With the latest initiative, Fast Retailing hopes to secure enough employees and reduce its high turnover rate, as it is seeking to increase the number of full-time locally hired employees from the current 10,000 to 16,000. The book prompted internal investigations and the retailer promised to take action to ensure “appropriate working conditions” for its workers. “If people are happy, the retention rate is high”, Uniqlo USA Chief Executive Larry Meyer told.

The company has come under criticism for the low pay and poor conditions at the Chinese factories that churn out its low-cost clothing. The company sued the book’s publisher, but the case was dismissed.