VIRGIN boss Richard Branson’s decision to allow staff to choose when they take time off has kickstarted a debate around working hours.

Supporters of the radical measure say it would not only advance workers’ wellbeing but is also a serious economic proposal, saving money on the running of public services and improving productivity.

According to a YouGov poll, 57% support introducing a four-day working week and 71% say it would make the country happier.

Even Prime Minister David Cameron has said it is “high time” to recognise that GDP was an “incomplete way” of measuring a country’s progress, and told the Office for National Statistics to launch a wellbeing report.

But how would the radical idea work on a practical level?

Alex Jones, Employment Law specialist at Howlett Clarke, reckons a “plethora of legal issues” would arise.

He said: “Everything from pensions, holiday entitlement, benefits, bonuses and any subsequent redundancy package would be subject to wholesale change.”

While it may be true that condensing the week makes people more productive, management is key.

Mr Jones added: “One size doesn’t fit all and in customer facing industries it’s difficult to see how a four-day week will enhance the service being offered.”

Fiona Martin, director and head of employment law at Martin Searle Solicitors, agreed happy, motivated staff were more productive, while those with limited hours tended to work more efficiently.

But a change to a four-day week could have unforeseen circumstances, she warned.

Ms Martin said: “What might be a healthy option for fortunate employees, able to live on a salary based on four days work a week could adversely affect already over-stretched employees who have to work full time for economic reasons.”

She added: “In order to be workable and sustainable, our individual goals would need to change to embrace increased ‘me’ and family time over material gain. Only then would our UK working culture shift from long working hours to one where we could all partake in a four day working week.”

Gina Citroni, chief executive of Amplican, said employers had a legal obligation to ensure stress levels are kept in check and employees were supported.

But completing full-time hours in four days could create more stress, she said.

Ms Citroni said: “It has been clearly demonstrated that well trained, motivated and rewarded teams who enjoy a degree of autonomy are the most productive – not those who work less.

“It should also be borne in mind that the largest up-turn in divorce rates occurs over the Christmas break when couples are forced to spend more time with each other.

“Businesses are not charitable organisations, we have to service our customers, reward our staff, drive profit and hopefully make a small something for people like me who own the place.”

Joshua French, co-founder of work consultants Bailey and French, said prioritising strengths over weaknesses could be the answer.

He said: “The idea of a four-day working week is lovely, and I'm sure if it happened many of us would spend our extra day off productively.

“However, the debate raises some important questions. Is going to work really that stressful? And if it is, does it have to be? Couldn't we evolve the culture of the workplace, so that employees find it energising rather than draining?

“Rather than making a drastic change to the working week, it would be wiser to learn from the huge amount of research into other ways to improve performance and lower stress.”