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The City of Merritt launched a four-day work week pilot program in November of last year and so far the significant change in the work schedule is being well accepted. 

“From my knowledge we have not had any major problems and no major negative feedback,” said communications and engagement manager for the city, Kim Mullin.

Merritt launched the 1-year trial in hopes of attracting, recruiting and retaining municipal workers, moving to longer days from Tuesday to Friday and taking Mondays off.

"It's very much for the City of Merritt a retention measure as well as an attraction measure," Merritt's chief administrative officer Sean Smith told iNFOnews.ca in a previous interview. “It will also serve the people of Merritt better as residents will be able to come to city hall before and after work.”

READ MORE: City of Merritt moving to a four-day work week

Smith said the city is often seen as a training ground for larger centres that can afford to pay more and employees will end up leaving for those higher paying jobs.

There is a large body of evidence that shows working a four-day week is more productive and more popular.

Surveys are going out to employees and the public at the six month marker — in May — and the one year marker to gauge employee and public satisfaction and see whether the new schedule is helping to attract and retain municipal employees. 

“When we first put this out to the employees we had a very high percentage of people opting into the program,” Mullin said. “A lot of people in the city hall and community are really supportive of the new schedule so far, and several businesses in Merritt are working on the same one.”

B.C. businesses are facing rising costs from inflation, paid sick days, employer health tax and rising federal taxes leaving many struggling to hire and retain skilled workers, according to a recent publication by BC Green Party leader and MLA for Cowichan Valley, Sonia Furstenau.

The B.C. Green caucus is calling on the provincial government to pilot a three-year shortened work week. The incentive would be a one-time tax break for public and private businesses.

Under the proposed model businesses would submit data to help determine how to reduce work hours while maintaining the same pay rates and allowing for businesses to adapt.

According to the publication, results from pilots and trials worldwide prove that a four-day week is good for businesses and people. They reduce stress and illness, and maintain or even boost productivity. Workers report improved job satisfaction and employers are better able to attract, recruit and retain workers.

“It’s time for this government to get on board and recognize that this is where the economy is going,” Furstenau writes. "With the right policies and incentives, government can encourage and incentivize this shift."

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