Merritt, B.C. to pilot four-day work week at city hall to attract workers
The City of Merritt in British Columbia's Interior is launching a four-day work week pilot program in the hope of attracting, recruiting and retaining municipal workers.
The one-year trial, approved by council on Tuesday, will see city hall closed on Mondays, with operational hours extended Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., an extra hour and 45 minutes each day.
Sean Smith, Merritt’s chief administrative officer, said wages won't change but the city is hoping the compressed work week will allow it to compete with other jurisdictions for staff.
"We have to find a way to be competitive on retention and attraction without it affecting the bottom line for taxpayers," he said in an interview Thursday.
He noted this comes at a time when the city is working to recover from last fall's floods, which devastated the community and caused additional challenges for staff retention.
Smith said he also believes the scheme will benefit residents by allowing them to access municipal staff before or after usual work hours.
"It will be interesting to see the exact effects on the public, but I think that the increased levels of productivity and having a staff that is refreshed and ready to work is going to yield benefits for anyone who has business with city hall."
He said there may be logistical challenges when the pilot is first being implemented.
"I think that, especially at the outset, there will be people who want to just pop into city hall and are frustrated when it's closed on Monday, (but) we hope that with great communication, and with a little bit of time, residents will find that it's a benefit."
The project will be reviewed at the six-month and one-year markers, through staff and public surveys, to gauge its effectiveness and identify areas where changes may need to be made.
Smith said though the assessment details are still being developed, it will focus on three main areas: impacts to public, employee satisfaction and well-being and whether it is fulfilling its intended purpose of attracting and retaining staff.
The start date for the pilot program hasn't yet been decided, but Smith said he expects it will launch this fall.
"We're excited to give it a try and hopefully it does yield the benefits we're anticipating for our employees, and we're hoping that the public really enjoys it as well," he said. "If not, we'll learn from it and pivot back. That's the beauty of the pilot."
— By Brieanna Charlebois in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.