BBC News Magazine: Should people be off on Fridays?

[Gerald]

The Gambia has shortened the work week, making Friday a day of rest. Is this the perfect pattern for a working week?

n the tiny African nation of The Gambia, public sector workers will now clock in at 8am and clock out at 6pm, Monday to Thursday. They'll still do a 40-hour week but have the luxury of Friday off.

President Jammeh wants the extra rest day to "allow Gambians to devote more time to prayers, social activities and agriculture".

In the dark days of the 19th Century, many workers in industrialised nations considered themselves lucky if they got Sunday off. The achievement of a 40-hour week with Saturday and Sunday off for many was a major landmark for the labour movement.

But some have tried to go further.

In 2008, about 17,000 government officials in the US state of Utah started working four 10-hour days in a bid to cut costs. The experiment didn't last: the five-day week was reinstated in 2011.

Other US states have also toyed with the idea. Oregon and Texas legislators considered - but did not pass - four-day work week bills, while Georgia and Virginia have trialled it at a handful of agencies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21242782

Why a Friday? The day off may be any day of the week....Mondays are a good day to leave too

Note: 1 February 2013 Last updated at 01:13 GMT