workweeks

Workweeks refer to a fixed cycle used to calculate hours, pay, and compliance with labor laws. A workweek is typically seven consecutive days, though the exact start day and whether weekends are included depend on national law and employer policy. It is distinct from a calendar week and may not align with a normal Saturday–Sunday weekend.

In many jurisdictions, a standard full-time workload is defined in hours per workweek. In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act commonly treats 40 hours per week as full-time, with overtime paid for hours beyond that threshold. In the European Union, the Working Time Directive sets a limit of 48 average weekly hours, calculated over a reference period, with national rules and collective agreements further shaping the duty to work and rest. Some countries define shorter norms, such as about 35 hours in France.

Workweeks vary by industry and employment arrangement. Many workers are on traditional five-day weeks, while others work shifts, weekends, or alternate schedules. Flexible or staggered hours, teleworking, and compressed workweeks—such as four 10-hour days—are common options. Part-time and contingent workers may have shorter workweeks, defined by contract rather than law. In all cases, overtime, vacation, statutory holidays, and leave entitlements are counted according to local law and contract and may apply within the workweek.

History and policy debates around workweeks reflect labor-market goals such as productivity, worker well-being, and work-life balance. Over the past century, many countries moved toward shorter average hours and more flexible arrangements, while experimentation with four-day or reduced-hour workweeks continues in research and pilot programs around the world.