POLL: Should four-day working weeks be banned? | Politics | News
If the Conservatives return to power, public sector staff could be banned from taking advantage of a four-day holiday with five days of full pay; so today readers are asked: Is this the right approach? The Conservatives have vowed to introduce the Prohibition of the Four-Day Week and Protection of Public Services Bill, which would halt the trend in councils, town halls and other state bodies.
Private firms would still be free to offer this privilege if they choose to “pay above the odds.” Shadow Local Government Secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “Taxpayers should not be paying full wages for part-time services. A four-day working week, where pay is maintained but working hours are reduced, does not provide value for money and harms hard-working families.”
So what do you think? Vote in our poll and join the discussion in the comments section. Can’t see the survey below? Click here
The move comes after South Cambridgeshire District Council made the four-day week permanent despite warnings from both Tory and Labor ministers. One whistleblower employee described the office as a “cold and isolating” environment and said she felt like “a big empty shell” on non-working Mondays and Fridays. “You could hear a pin drop,” they wrote. “Working here is difficult, isolating and honestly overwhelming.”
Anonymous staff added that residents were right to be annoyed by complaints about unanswered emails and delayed services in areas such as housing and planning. “I understand why citizens are upset. Would you want to pay council tax knowing that your municipality has a paid day off every week?”
Critics argue the policy provides 100% pay for 80% of hours, meeting service standards while council tax continues to rise. Supporters on the Liberal Democrat-run council claim better recruitment and retention.
Labor pointed out the trial began under the Conservatives and insisted ministers had warned councils against it. The SNP, Greens and Plaid Cymru have shown support for shorter weeks in parts of the UK.
