After Thursday’s meeting of the full council, councillors have agreed to consider moving to a four day week to improve the wellbeing of employees.
Cllr Claire Miller who proposed the idea suggested it would also help to tackle overuse of agency workers, and boost the council’s productivity.
Supported overwhelmingly by the Green, SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat council groups, officers have been instructed to prepare a report outlining how this innovative policy could be adopted for the capital.
Cllr Miller said: “When faced with the need for budget cuts every year, it’s a joy to find a proposal which helps to save money while also being beneficial rather than detrimental. And the four day week is just that.
“The four day week is one where services remain as-is – there are no changes as far as residents are concerned, either in opening hours or what’s provided – but our workers deliver in a reduced working week. Studies of four day weeks show that productivity remains the same, or in some cases even improves, when the number of hours worked is reduced down and a greater proportion of the week is given back to people for their other responsibilities, for rest and for leisure.”
In a written deputation to the Council meeting, the Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign cited a trial undertaken by South Cambridgeshire District Council: “The key takeaway from South Cambridgeshire’s experience is that a well-structured four-day week can improve productivity, boost recruitment and wellbeing, and—crucially—save taxpayers money. With hundreds of companies across the UK already successfully adopting a four-day week, and the results of the Scottish Government’s public sector pilot out next month, now is a great time for the council to embark on this journey.”
Representatives from both Unite and Unison trades unions, who represent council staff, also spoke in favour of the motion and urged councillors to prioritise this long-held ask of workers’ rights organisations.
