British Columbia

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

Summerland, B.C., is implementing a four-day work week for some district staff after an 18-month pilot project proved successful.

Mayor says compressed work week helps with work-life balance

A welcome sign in Summerland, B.C.
Many Summerland district employees will be able to keep working four days a week as an 18-month pilot has been made permanent. (District of Summerland/Vimeo)

Summerland, B.C., is formalizing its four-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 4 p.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.

Summerland chief administrative officer Graham Statt was part of the trial and 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, exploring ways 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 program for municipal workers in Merritt, 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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jon Azpiri is a reporter and copy editor based in Vancouver, B.C. Email him with story tips at jon.azpiri@cbc.ca.

With files from Rafferty Baker