7. Plaid Cymru Debate: A four-day working week

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:30 pm on 22 September 2021.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 5:30, 22 September 2021

I'm afraid, Janet Finch-Saunders, I think that's well above my pay grade, to answer that question. So, as you heard before, the growth of remote working and things like automation are just two of the forces that are acting as both a push and pull towards different working patterns. Changes that present a challenge, but also an opportunity: a challenge, because outdated and outmoded working practices are no longer fit for purpose, and an opportunity because offering genuine choices in when and how workers work demands a progressive and a just approach to working practices. It wasn't too long ago that from many quarters the pervading position was that working from home wasn't possible, that it, or people even, wouldn't work. Yet, the pandemic, whilst recognising, as we've heard, the different and difficult reality for many workers, has proven otherwise. Luke Fletcher has touched on how, when we move towards it, we need to do it in the right way and guard against any unintended consequences and make sure that that is—. We've seen, with the pandemic, some workers could work from home, and for some it worked best because, like me, I was very lucky to have a place, a room, to work in, but for many people it was a struggle. So, we need to make sure that, like you say, we approach any progressive changes in a progressive and a fair way to ensure equity of opportunity.