The four-day workweek at Lamborghini: work-life balance, collective bargaining and workforce expectations

Journal title SOCIOLOGIA DEL LAVORO
Author/s Matteo Lupoli, Angelo Castellani
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/174
Language Italian Pages 22 P. 30-51 File size 257 KB
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This article examines the trial of a four-day workweek introduced by Automobili Lamborghini in 2024. Drawing on a qualitative approach, based on interviews with union representatives and workers, the research reconstructs both the negotiation process and employees’ perceptions. Findings show that working time reduction is seen as an opportunity to rebalance work and life, have more personal time, travel, pursue education, self-care, and family relations. Despite some concerns regarding work intensification and the loss of paid leave, the work force response is overwhelmingly positive. The case highlights the key role of collective bargaining and how flexibility alone is not sufficient for a proper work-life balance, as it does not effectively reduce working hours and may even intensify workloads. By contrast, genuine reductions in working time create space for alternative activities and a stronger sense of autonomy beyond work organization.

Keywords: working hours; short working week; work-life balance; industrial relations

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Matteo Lupoli, Angelo Castellani, La settimana corta in Lamborghini: work-life balance, contrattazione sindacale e aspettative della forza lavoro in "SOCIOLOGIA DEL LAVORO " 174/2026, pp 30-51, DOI: