Osaka: Panasonic Holdings Corp. said Monday it has introduced an optional four-day workweek system this month on a test basis, an effort to leave employees with more time to take up side jobs and engage in self-learning and volunteering.

Eligible for the system are those who have been working with the Japanese company for at least two years among a total of some 5,000 employees at Panasonic and Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., a unit that engages in human resources and accounting operations.

The eligible employees will also be able to choose to work three days a week.

Panasonic aims to introduce the four-day workweek system in full swing in February 2023.

The company also abolished its minimum work hours on a test basis for employees on flexible work hours so that they will be able to adopt a four-day workweek while maintaining their total working hours by working longer on some days and taking additional days off on others.

JIJI Press