MUMBAI : In response to growing discussions around reduced work weeks, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said recent labour code reforms allow companies to explore compressed work schedules, including a four-day work week, but do not compel any organisation or sector to adopt such a model. The ministry underlined that the intent of the reforms is to provide flexibility, not impose a uniform structure.

The clarification comes amid rising interest from businesses, HR leaders and employees, as global experiments with four-day work models continue to draw attention for their potential impact on productivity, employee well-being and work-life balance. While some multinational companies and startups have tested shorter work weeks with mixed outcomes, questions had emerged over whether India was moving towards a mandated shift.

Officials explained that under the revised labour framework, the total weekly working hours remain capped at 48. This allows organisations, if they choose, to structure work across four days of up to 12 hours each, provided statutory conditions are met. The ministry noted that the 12-hour workday includes breaks or spread-over time, and any work beyond prescribed limits must be compensated as overtime at double the wage rate.

The government also reiterated that the new labour codes, which replaced 29 older laws with four consolidated codes, were introduced to modernise workplace rights while safeguarding employee welfare. These include the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Social Security Code, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. Together, they focus on timely payment of wages, fixed working hours, stronger safety norms, social security coverage, and improved access to health and welfare benefits.

Industry bodies welcomed the clarification, saying it provides certainty to employers, especially in sectors requiring continuous operations. They cautioned that making a four-day work week mandatory could strain essential services, while voluntary adoption allows organisations to balance operational needs with employee expectations.