Calls for three-day work week across UK with workers split into ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams to help ease coronavirus lockdown – The Sun

THE UK could ease the coronavirus lockdown by splitting its workforce into "Team A" and "Team B" and having each work a three-day week, a report has said.

The Royal Society of Arts said the proposal, as well as getting Brits back to work, could help address longstanding issues like climate change and economic insecurity.

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Government advice intended to stop the spread of the virus currently says that people should only travel to work if they are unable to do their job remotely.

But some of those returning to work have still reported difficulty maintaining distances on public transport as well as having to share space with fellow commuters not wearing masks.

The Royal Society of Arts' (RSA) plans would see, for example, one team in an office work Monday to Wednesday and a second team work Thursday to Saturday.

The idea would enable offices to better practice social distancing, reduce congestion on roads and public transport, and present an opportunity to develop cycling infrastructure, the report said.

It is based on similar a scheme being used in South Korea, which has been lauded internationally for its success in preventing the spread of the virus using various control measures.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the RSA, said: "The crisis can be an opportunity for positive change.

"We need to get back to work, but there is no going back to normal, even if we wanted to.

"We are calling for a 12-month 'back to work' strategy to help businesses plan, must contain the seeds of a better future – which creates a better future of work, builds our green infrastructure, and brings citizens and experts closer.

"Over time, the 'team a' and 'team b' working could develop into a more permanent three-day week, while the negative income tax could become a basic income floor for citizens.

"These ideas and others will clearly be subject to debate, but it's vital we have new thinking to 'build back better' and address the challenges we face, from the climate emergency to mass economic insecurity."

Lockdowns remain in place around the world and have caused unprecedented economic damage.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak this week warned that the country faced a recession "like no other we have seen before" as well as mass job losses in the “days, weeks, and months to come”.

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