MADRID, 29 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

25.4% of Spanish SMEs are considering the option of establishing a four-day work week, a measure that stands out among those that companies are taking with a view to retaining talent, as reported by the insurer Hiscox.

However, only 41 companies submitted the application to benefit from the aid program for SMEs to favor the four-day working day, according to data published by the Ministry of Industry.

In fact, the Hiscox report reveals that 54.8% of Spanish SMEs had not heard of this initiative. For their part, among those who were aware of this subsidy, 45.2% "do not consider it interesting at all", so they do not plan to apply for it.

From Hiscox they have pointed out that the four-day working week model poses a great challenge for companies that wish to implement it. In addition, in the case of SMEs, with fewer staff and a smaller budget than large corporations, this challenge is even greater.

Thus, 66.3% of these companies are resorting to other benefits to attract and retain talent. Of these, 76.6% offer flexible hours, 30.9% facilitate teleworking, 23.1% offer training plans and 14.1% health insurance.

The Director of Distribution and Sales of Hiscox Spain, Miguel Ángel Aguilar, has pointed out that in the current context, marked by the climate crisis and the rearrangement of workers' priorities, "a new production model is needed and companies that conceive the welfare of the workers as part of its purpose".

The expert added that the four-day work week responds to this challenge, "but at the same time poses new challenges" for the country's SMEs.