What the new labour code actually says about working four days a week

NEW DELHI: India’s new labour code has reignited a familiar workplace question — can employees legally work just four days a week and get three days off? The short answer is yes, but it comes with a catch: total working hours stay the same, just packed into fewer, longer days.What Has Changed?Under the newly implemented labour codes — including the Code on Wages (Central) Rules and related provisions — employers can allow employees to complete their weekly work hours in four days instead of the traditional five- or six-day format. However, the total weekly working limit remains capped at 48 hours. That means an employee opting for a four-day week may have to work up to 12 hours a day, including breaks and rest periods mandated under labour laws.Is the 4-Day Workweek Mandatory?No. The rule is only an option, not a compulsory nationwide policy. Employers cannot force employees into a compressed work schedule without their consent.What Happens to Your Overtime?The labour code keeps overtime protections intact. If an employee works beyond the approved schedule or exceeds the weekly 48-hour limit, the employer must pay overtime wages at twice the normal rate. It is also worth noting that while the central rules focus mainly on weekly working-hour caps, several state Shops and Establishments laws still prescribe daily work-hour limits, usually around 8 to 10 hours. This could affect how smoothly the four-day model is implemented across different states.Which Sectors Can Benefit?Knowledge-based and flexible industries are more likely to adopt the four-day workweek. These include:

These sectors often rely on project-based or digital work structures, making compressed schedules easier to manage.Which Industries Could Face Problems?Industries requiring continuous staffing or physical presence may struggle with the model. These include:

India’s new labour code does not officially introduce a shorter workweek. Instead, it creates legal flexibility for companies and employees to reorganise the same 48-hour workweek into four longer working days. Whether it becomes common in India will depend on industry needs, employee acceptance, and state-specific labour regulations.