A shorter work week 'good for business'

Experts are increasingly calling for a three-day working week, citing evidence that an unrelenting working culture is bad for health.

Researchers at Australia's Keio University say 25 hours a week is the optimum for middle-aged workers, equating to a three-day week.

When test subjects worked more than 25 hours their cognitive performance fell and "fatigue and stress" took over.

Professor Colin McKenzie said work was "a double-edged sword".

Scientists and business leaders are increasingly suggesting that a shorter work week would be good for quality of life and business.

Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim recently called for a work week of three 11-hour days and a later retirement age of 75.

A UK study found nearly 50% of people in their 50s wanted to work until they were 70, doing work part-time or flexible hours towards the end of their careers. It was also found that people lost focus and were less productive when working more than eight hours a day.

A Swedish study found that nurses working six-hour days took half as much sick leave than those in the control group, were happier and more energetic.