There is a call for alternatives to a four-day week for Irish employers: an intensive morning and a free afternoon.
That's according to Irish Times journalist Jennifer O'Connell, who says Ireland could take lessons from Spain.
It comes as the debate continues over reduced working days for Irish businesses.
But Jennifer told The Pat Kenny Show an earlier finishing time makes sense.
"I wouldn't say this as an alternative to the four-day week - I'm a big fan of the four-day week.
"But I know that employers have concerns about the logistics and the impact on clients and customers.
"I think that's understable - I think it may be coming but it's going to take a little bit of time to come into effect.
"So an alternative with potentially fewer logistical challenges... is this idea of a more compressed working day".
Looking at the Spanish model - where workers start at 8am and finish at 3pm without a lunch break in July and August - she says this could be another option.
"They're entitled to a 15 minute break... but it means that they can finish up at 3pm.
"And the beauty of it is that they don't get paid any less, because they're still doing the same amount of work".
She acknowledges that some sectors - retail , healthcare or hospitality - wouldn't be able to do this.
But adds: "For people who are knowledge workers where their job involves sitting at a computer for most of the day, why does it matter what time you're sitting at a computer?"
