The dream of a four-day week just became reality for 10,000 of Uniqlo’s staff

Dream of working a four-day week? Then maybe you shold relocate to Japan, where Uniqlo parent company Fast Retailing is trialling just that. 

 

Starting in October, the fashion giant – which also owns J Brand and Theory – will offer a four-day to around a fifth of its workforce. 

 

According to Bloomberg, around 10,000 full-time employees in Uniqlo's Japanese locations will be given the option of having three days off a week in exchange for working 10-hour days when they are in.

 

The retailer is also considering introducing a shorter week at its corporate headquarters and at more stores, if this trial goes well.

 

It's not all good news though. Workers will have to work Saturday and Sundays to help Uniqlo keep its stores staffed during its busiest times.

 

"We feel we have to enrich them," Uniqlo USA chief executive Larry Meyer told Bloomberg in March. "If people are happy, the retention rate is high. If not, the retention rate is low."