Reading Borough Council has responded to a query over whether it will introduce a four-day working week for its employees.
A four-day working week has long provoked debate in workplaces about productivity and the benefits of having an extra day off, along with the weekend.
The workflow change can either involve an increase in the amount of employment hours on those four days or no change in hours, while maintaining the expectation that the same amount of work is done.
In January 2023, South Cambridgeshire District Council was the first council in England to fully adopt the four-day working week.
While the change was met with scepticism by the previous Conservative government, a report to the council’s Employment and Staffing Committee stated that it helped save £371,500 in spending.
Last November, the Labour government gave councils the go-ahead to introduce a four-day working week if they wished.
However, the prospect of the change has been rebuffed Reading Borough Council.
The council is open to flexible working which can include fulfilling some or all of the work expected from the employee’s home.
A spokesperson said: “The council has no plans to consider a four-day week.
“There is a statutory right for employees to request flexible working and the council supports that where it can.
“Examples include changing the number of hours worked, changes to shift patterns or requesting a job share.
“Requests are considered carefully and on a case-by-case basis.”
