Employer Suggests Shorter Hours Could Be Effective

Marisa Xuereb, a former president of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, has argued that many tasks which traditionally occupy an eight-hour workday can now be completed within just five hours thanks to advances in technology and digital tools.

According to Ms Xuereb, the focus should be on output and efficiency, rather than simply the number of hours spent at a desk. She believes that when employees use modern tools effectively, they can deliver high-quality work in less time than expected.

“We often take longer to complete tasks simply because that is what has always been expected,” Ms Xuereb said, suggesting that productivity, not hours, should be the main measure of work success.

Not a Policy Change — Yet

It is important to note that Ms Xuereb’s comments reflect personal opinion and professional insight, rather than an official statement from the government or changes to Maltese labour laws.

At present, Malta’s standard working week remains around 40 hours, as laid down by existing employment regulations. There is no bill before Parliament to mandate a five-hour day, nor has the government announced plans to legislate shorter work hours.

The suggestion of a drastically reduced workday is part of a wider international conversation about work culture, flexible hours, and productivity, but it has not yet translated into national policy in Malta.

Work-Life Balance and Technological Change

Proponents of shorter working hours often highlight improvements in work-life balance and mental well-being. Supporters say that reduced hours could help people better manage personal responsibilities, reduce stress, and improve overall satisfaction with work.

Ms Xuereb also acknowledged that not all sectors or professions would find a five-hour day feasible. Jobs that require constant customer contact or shift-based work, for example, may not be suited to this model.

Gen Z and Changing Workplace Expectations

During discussions on the topic, there has also been mention of how younger workers, particularly those of Generation Z, are increasingly prioritising flexibility and quality of life over traditional work patterns. Some employers say this shift in mindset reflects changing values among the workforce, who are less inclined to accept long, rigid hours if productivity can be maintained in shorter spans.

However, critics of reducing work hours warn that without proper planning, employers may struggle with coverage, deadlines, and economic costs — especially in small and medium-sized enterprises.

International Comparisons and Broader Debate

The idea of shorter workweeks has been trialled in various countries and companies around the world, with mixed but often promising results. Experiments in places like Iceland and parts of Europe have shown improvements in well-being and productivity in some sectors, though widespread adoption remains limited.

In Malta, the discussion led by Ms Xuereb adds to a growing public dialogue about how evolving technology, work expectations, and quality of life can be balanced in a modern economy. Whether this will lead to any formal changes in work culture or policy remains to be seen.

Conclusion

While the suggestion of a five-hour workday has captured public attention, it remains a concept for discussion, not a legislative reality in Malta. The idea serves as a reminder that work culture continues to evolve, and that conversations about productivity, technology and wellbeing are increasingly shaping how employers and employees think about the future of work.

Source: https://timesofmalta.com/article/wait-fivehour-workday-enough-employer-insists.1121511