Companies sign-up for four-day week pilot
by Mark Corcoran
 
Fórsa has also asked local authorities to get involved in the pilot, and Dublin city councillors voted to do so earlier this year.
Fórsa has also asked local authorities to get involved in the pilot, and Dublin city councillors voted to do so earlier this year.

The introduction of a four-day working week would decrease burnout, increase productivity, and establish a better work-life balance, according to Fórsa’s general secretary. Speaking to the Oireachtas committee on enterprise, trade and employment last week, Kevin Callinan said the four-day working model aimed to produce 100% productivity in 80% of the existing standard five-day working week.

 

Fórsa has been leading the Four Day Week Ireland campaign, which announced that 17 companies have signed up to its pilot programme. Launched earlier this year, the pilot aims to trial the effectiveness of reduced working time for Irish businesses.

 

Part of an international collaboration involving parallel pilot programmes in Britain, New Zealand and the USA, the pilot will support employers introducing a four-day week over a six-month period starting next February.

 

The campaign will provide business supports including a training programme developed by companies who have already successfully implemented a four-day week, coaching and advice from four-day week business leaders, plus research and expert analysis.

 

Fórsa has also asked local authorities to get involved in the pilot, and Dublin city councillors voted to do so earlier this year.

 

Kevin said the concept had been proven to work in a number of companies across the globe. “The trial aims to show how it can make a real difference that benefits employers and staff but also, in doing so, is better for the economy, for society and for the environment," he said.

 

Speaking on RTÉ radio, he encouraged employers to get involved with the program by signing up to the trial.

 

"Nobody is going to impose the four-day week. Businesses are only going to elect to trial it if they believe that there is something in it for them. What they'll get from the pilot is access to training from businesses who have made this work for their companies, access to mentoring from international pioneers who have led the way in relation to it,” he said.

 

Listen to Kevin Callinan’s radio interview HERE. 

 

Get more information on the four-day week campaign HERE. 

 

It’s never been more important – or easier – to get the protections and benefits of union membership. Join Fórsa HERE or contact us HERE. 

LikeLike (0) | Facebook Twitter