Do you think that reducing working hours can contribute to reducing stress and improving productivity?

Yes it may. If we focus towards quality of work and time management. 

Thanks for asking , actually I do not think so because sometimes the reason of stress is not the  long time of work but the work itself or conditions of work 

Yes i do believe it does. We as humas need to be able to explore life outside of the office and feel like we have the freedom to be ourselves. I think it can make a person appreciatte their work more. That said, i dont think there is anything wrong with a few extra working hours during periods of increased work load, as long as the employees are being treated fairly and are compensated for the extra hours so as to not negatively effect job satisfaction. 

Normally yes. as long as it has no adverse effect on the bottom line. reduced hours should be objective. it can be seasonal and implemented with compensating control that it will add quality, value, recognized entity culture and balanced lifestyle    

Thanks

No, I don't think ....

It is not related to working hours ( short - long ), inasmuch as it related to size of tasks and responsibilities, that's why there are lazy employees do nothing but work for 6 hours a day , while there are active employees work + 7 hours a day but they have many achievements

Please be sure if the reason for the negative is the lack of comfort

Thank you for the invitation.

Employee well-being has one of the biggest impacts on the success of a business.  Reducing work hours by having two days off in the week can be implemented and stress can be a factor less in the work place.  Also working shifts can be helpful.  Making an environment stress free by having places to relax when stressed on the floor will help many companies bridge thiw gap and understand health of the employees.  It will build performance and effieciency on the floor.  Employees will appreciate the employer for this benefit.

How often, however, do companies stop and assess the toll of intangible things on bottom line? Things like employee well-being are often difficult to measure but have a big impact on the overall success of a business. The European Agency for Safety and Health found that 550 million working days are lost every year in the U.S. from stress related time off.  This absenteeism costs American companies an estimated $602 per worker annually.

Stress is more than a mental state and can cause serious physical ailments. According to stress management expert Deepak Chopra, extended stress has a detrimental effect on physical health because the body enters a "fight or flight" state and neglects other vital basic bodily functions like digestion.

Stress also negatively impacts the alertness of the mind, and leads to a drowsy, non-productive state when the burst of adrenaline wears off. Employees under constant stress are unhappy and are simply less productive.

When considering ways to improve efficiency in the coming year, do not overlook stress reduction in the office or virtual office environment. Here are a few expert suggestions on how to make this valuable improvement:

1. Encourage exercise. You do not have to have a gym onsite to give employees the encouragement to workout. Reach out to local health clubs in the area and ask about company discounts. If you have it in your budget to match some of the membership fees, even if it is less than $10, do it. You can also contact fitness class instructors and ask about a weekly lunchtime visit to hold a class at the workplace. Either pay for this service or ask for a reduced per class rate for employees that want to attend.

2. Hire a listener.Retain a professional psychologist, therapist or clergyperson to visit the office one or two times each month. Have a set time when the professional plans to be in the building and allow employees leeway to go in and speak with him or her. Many non-denominational chaplains now offer corporate services in order to reduce workplace stress. Employees may be too tired or worn out to seek out the listening ear of a psychologist or other trained listener in their free time; providing this option during office hours is a smart way to let employees decompress and discuss workplace, or even personal, stressors in a non-threatening environment.

3. Set aside a stress-free space. There are simply times when getting away from a desk or cubicle is needed. Create a serene spot in the building that is designated a "quiet area" where employees can escape for a few minutes when needed. According to Geek.com, search engine conglomerate Google offers its employees nap pods in order to help them regain energy and get away from negative feelings associated with stress during a normal workday.  While not every company has the resources of Google, a smaller-scale space for relaxation is easy to create.

Utilizing these three easy stress reduction ideas can help your business see even more success than it does now.

Maybe. However, time management and prioritization is the main skill there to reduce stress drastically and key to higher success with more free time.

Thanks for invitation,

I do believe that, stress in work depends on type of work  and also to the work environment in general and not only related to the working hours nor improving productivity.