District of Summerland to keep 4-day work week for staff

Summerland, B.C.,isformalizing itsfour-day work week pilot program for some district staff and offering it to more departments.

The 18-month trial began in July 2023 and gave municipal hall and aquatic centre staff in the Okanagan community the option to work full-time hours over four days rather than five.

In a statement, Mayor Doug Holmes said the district is officially implementing the compressed work week, saying it "provides a positive work environment by giving employees a better work-life balance."

Prior to the pilot, Summerland's municipal hall was open from 8:30 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday to Friday.The pilot saw opening hours shift to 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Friday.

While some municipal hall employees remain on a five-day schedule, including building inspectors and corporate services staff, the majority work a four-day week, said Holmes.

Summerlandchief administrative officer GrahamStatt was part of the trialand said he's been pleased with the results.

"It's been great and I've been able to spend a lot more time on those days with my grandchildren."

At a Tuesday meeting, Summerland council endorsed staff recommendations to continue the compressed work week in its current format and look to offer the four-day option to more staff, exploringways to customize it to ensure operations still run smoothly.

"Our commitment [is] to staff and to customers and to councillors to find our way through this and make sure we make right choices that can benefit everyone involved," Statt said.

A similar pilot programfor municipal workers inMerritt, B.C., is winding down, with a five-day work week set to return.

In a statement, a city spokesperson there said the one-year trial,launched in 2022,was extended by a year and has now ended. The spokesperson declined to comment publicly on the end of the pilot project.

In its provincial election platform, the B.C. Green Party supported four-day work week pilot programs, saying the party would offer tax credits to companies that participate.