IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

Some people believe that governments should make a four-day working week mandatory for all employees while keeping salaries unchanged. Although shorter working weeks have clear benefits, I disagree that they should be imposed on every workplace by law.

There is no doubt that a four-day week can benefit both workers and employers. Employees with an extra day off have more time to rest, care for their families and pursue hobbies, which reduces burnout. Refreshed staff tend to be more focused and productive. For example, several trials in Europe found that many companies maintained their output after cutting a day, while staff turnover fell.

However, a one-size-fits-all law would be impractical for many sectors. Hospitals, schools, shops and public transport must operate every day, so giving all staff a day off on full pay would force employers to hire extra workers, driving up costs. Small businesses with tight profit margins might be unable to absorb these costs and could be forced to cut jobs or close. Prices for consumers would also be likely to rise.

A better approach would be for governments to encourage rather than enforce shorter weeks. They could offer tax incentives to companies that adopt the model successfully, or fund pilot schemes in suitable industries such as technology and finance. This would allow each sector to find the arrangement that suits it best. For instance, a software company might switch to four days, whereas a hospital could reduce shift lengths or offer more flexible schedules instead.

In conclusion, although a four-day week can improve work-life balance and productivity, making it compulsory for everyone would harm essential services and small firms. Governments should promote it on a voluntary basis instead.