While universities and banks seriously consider the concept, small business operators are unlikely to follow suit
Private enterprise is scrambling - and in some cases battling - to follow the government's lead in introducing a five-day week.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has announced a shift to a five-day week for the civil service by July, but to appease the business community, pledged that legislation forcing the private sector to follow would not be introduced. However, it seems the sudden policy shift has spurred other sectors into action.
The Heads of Universities Committee says it is well advanced in investigating how universities can introduce the five-day week for staff.
A University of Hong Kong spokesman said the committee has guidelines for universities to follow as they move towards cutting back the extra half day's work. While it wants individual universities to decide whether a five-day week is suitable, most universities said they would only move if all agreed they would benefit.
Both the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Chinese University said they had plans in place for a five-day week but said it would only be introduced upon a consensus being reached in the sector.
At least two banks - HSBC and Hang Seng - are to introduce a five-day week after the Hong Kong Association of Banks' decision last week to move to a five-day clearing week in September.