The Department of the Environment seeks proposals on the feasibility and consequences of shifting its staff to a 4-day work week.
If it is adopted, it will be the first department in government to fully endorse and implement the reduced work week. It would also send a signal that other sectors can benefit from flexible working hours and work-life balance.
A variety of civil society actors have suggested that a reduced work schedule, such as a 4-day work week, could be a viable model that could deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Trade unions are among those calling for a four-day work week at home and abroad.
Frsa wrote last year to all Irish councils urging them engage in a four-day pilot program.
The four-day week, according to supporters, would increase productivity, wellbeing, job satisfaction, and help the environment.
Pilot program
Four Day Week Ireland reported that 17 companies signed up for a pilot program to test the effectiveness of a four day week for businesses in October.
The measure was tested by these companies for six months starting last month.
Dundalk-based Soothing Solutions was one of the companies.
Sinad Crowther, its chief executive, stated: A four-day work week will benefit staff by giving employees more time with their family or focusing on their passions. We strongly believe that this will lead to increased productivity.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, are seeking proposals from the community to study the social, economic, and environment implications of a change to a 4-day week.
This research will provide an evidence base against the which future policy proposals can be evaluated.
“While pilot programmes that focus on a change to a 4-day work week have been offered by public authorities in several jurisdictions, they have not yet considered the potential and effects of such a change in the context of Ireland’s economy.
The Department also stated that the impact of a 4-day week has not been compared with other potential measures in Ireland’s labour market, e.g., longer right to leave, greater public holidays, a right to choose flexitime/reduced work hours.