Independent research found that fewer waste collectors quit their jobs, planning decisions were made faster, benefits were processed faster and phone calls were answered during a four-day trial in the UK’s largest public sector sector.
South Cambridgeshire District Council’s controversial experiment in shortening the working week resulted in improved performance in 11 of 24 areas and little or no change in 11 areas, according to an analysis of productivity before and during 15 months , performance deterioration in two areas, was trialled by academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Salford.
The trial by the Lib Dem-controlled authority sparked a fierce reaction from the Conservative government, with a minister telling district leader Bridget Smith to “end your experiment immediately” and complaining it would provide no benefit for local taxpayers Value for money.
Conservative former local MP Anthony Browne, who was defeated by the Lib Dems at last week’s general election, criticized the trial as “an ideological crusade”.
A multi-year study of trials involving around 450 front desk staff and waste collectors found:
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Staff turnover fell by 39%, saving £371,500 in one year, the majority of which was spent on agency staff costs.
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Regular family planning applications are decided about a week and a half in advance.
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Around 15% more major planning application decisions are completed within the correct timescale than before.
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The time required to process changes to applications for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit has been reduced.
On the downside, rents for council housing have deteriorated slightly, although this is due to the cost of living crisis. The rate at which vacant council homes are subletted fell slightly, from an average of 28 days to 30 days. Results are adjusted for the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Joe Ryall, director of the Four Day Work Week campaign, said the results heralded “a huge opportunity for public sector councils and organizations to start planning for a four day working week”.
The new Labor government is expected to push for longer NHS working hours to reduce waiting lists and increase workloads at weekends, and is prepared to speed up planning processes to boost house building.
Since the pandemic, the UK economy’s productivity has leveled off after historically growing at around 2% a year. In 2019, Labor under Jeremy Corbyn set out plans to shorten the working week to 32 hours without pay cuts in its manifesto, but this year the party did not include that in its latest pledge. No mention of the commitment to a four-day work week. It promises to deliver economic growth and productivity gains across the economy, leading to increased spending on public services without raising income tax, national insurance and VAT.
From Sweden to the United Arab Emirates, from New Zealand to the United States, employers around the world have experimented with the four-day work week. But last week the Greek government announced a new six-day-a-week policy for private businesses, aiming to boost the economy amid a shrinking population and a shortage of skilled workers. The company is looking to extend employee working hours to increase productivity.
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The trial in South Cambridgeshire starts in January 2023 and runs until April 2024, with staff expected to perform 100% of their work 80% of the time and receive 100% of their pay. Research shows that the comprehensive trial reduced employee turnover by 39%, and employees’ physical and mental health, motivation and commitment scores improved.
John Williams, lead member of the resources committee, said: “Coupled with the hundreds of thousands of pounds we have saved in taxpayers’ money, improved recruitment and retention and positive outcomes for health and wellbeing, this brave and ground-breaking The trial has clearly been a success “We know we can’t compete on salary alone and need to find bold new ways to address our recruitment and retention issues. “
Mike Davey, leader of Cambridge City Council, which shares planning services with South Cambridgeshire, described the trial as a “win-win situation, improving services for residents, reducing staff costs for the council and improving working environment”. Life balance for parliamentary staff. “
Many private companies have adopted this approach, and many have found that it helps retain employees. Ryall said the results in South Cambridgeshire “prove once and for all that a four-day working week can absolutely be successful in a local government environment without loss of wages”.
