Government workers launch campaign for a four-day week
PCS members at MCHLG have already 500 signatures on petition asking for staff to work 80% of their hours for 100% of their pay
Civil servants working for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government today launch a campaign for a four-day working week.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union members follow their colleagues at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in seeking a better work-life balance.
A petition launched two weeks ago calling on managers to allow staff to work 80% of their hours for 100% of their pay already has more than 500 signatures.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “A four-day week benefits both the employer and the employee. Employers offering a four-day week have better staff retention, find recruiting easier and lose less to sick days.
“A four-day week would give workers an additional day to spend how they like. For parents or those with caring responsibilities, care costs can be reduced and more time away from work to do the things we enjoy means less burnout, better health and a better quality of life.”
4 Day Week Campaign director Joe Ryle said: "The four-day week is an idea whose time has come. As hundreds of British companies in the private sector have already shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers.
“It's now time to see if it can be more widely applied in the public sector and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is a great place to start. We're proud to be supporting PCS members in their campaign.”
Ben, a PCS rep at MHCLG, said: “A four day week with same pay would make my dream of having children much more realistic. My partner and I would like to have children, but right now it seems impossible.
“Fewer days in the office would mean we could share childcare responsibilities, and I could avoid burnout with the other pressures of modern life.”
Caitlin, another PCS rep at MHCLG, added: “I constantly hear from members struggling with balancing work, caring requirements, raising a family, or managing health conditions.
“Lots of our members who are parents have reduced their hours already because they have to, but are then forced to manage sky high childcare bills on reduced pay.
“A four day week is badly needed at MHCLG to create a healthier and more equal workplace.”
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