Reasons for a shorter work week
Green party motion says there are many versions of shorter work week that province could adopt
The Opposition Greens are hoping the province will consider and implement a four-day work week for public sector workers and will “encourage” a similar measure in the private sector.
On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Peter Bevan-Baker introduced a motion calling on the provincial government to study ways of adopting a four-day work week for civil servants on the Island. The motion also calls for a study of ways for private sector employers to “encourage flexible hours” as well as a four-day work week.
If adopted, the motion would be non-binding. Government could ignore it or could use it as a basis for legislative change.
There are several models of a four-day work week. One model, recently adopted in the Nova Scotia municipality of Guysborough, would see four 10-hour workdays replace five eight-hour workdays for employees. Another model might see the total number of work hours per week reduced with no change in weekly pay. This model was recently used in a trial from the Japanese division of Microsoft. The company claims that worker productivity rose significantly despite the shorter working hours.
A third model would simply see a cut of paid hours per employee, with the resulting lower weekly income.
The Green motion does not specify which model would be best for P.E.I. Several Green MLAs argued in favour of the motion but offered examples from different models.
In an interview, however, Bevan-Baker said he personally preferred a shorter work week with no reduction in income.
"I would lean towards reduced hours. Four-day workweek is a phrase that people are familiar with but, as with so many things like that, the same words can mean different things," Bevan-Baker said.
Speaking to MLAs, BevanBaker suggested the four-day work week could increase worker productivity by reducing stress for employees. It could also reduce gender wage gaps.
But his remarks also focused on the quality of life benefits that four-day work weeks could offer.
"For us to reach our full potential as human beings, in all of the complicated and beautiful ways that life beckons us to do, means keeping space for those meditative moments – to think, to breathe, to allow life to enter into the blank space that we create when we stop and ponder for a moment," Bevan-Baker said.
Bevan-Baker added a fourday work week would not be suitable for all jobs, including seasonal industries or resource-based jobs in agriculture or the fisheries.
Premier Dennis King said he would support the motion, adding he has been “lobbying for this unofficially” for most of his working life.
King said he personally discussed similar ideas during his previous job as a communications director with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.
"We had feverish discussions about how I could be more productive,” King said.
“I did a lot of writing for that job. I would be much more inspired to do writing if I could go outside and sit under a tree, for example, as opposed to being caged in an office."
Other members of cabinet seemed lukewarm to the proposal.
"While I certainly support flexible ways of doing our work, I do not believe that a four-day work week would sufficiently meet the needs of Islanders," said Finance Minister Darlene Compton.
Even if adopted, the measure likely would not bring about immediate work-life balance for all. For years, concerns around understaffing in positions ranging from longterm care to retail have been raised from both unions and industry.
"This isn't a panacea, and it's not designed to correct all of the concerns and the challenges that are faced by employees and employers. But, I think it's part of the solution," Bevan-Baker said.
Debate on the motion is expected to continue.
"For us to reach our full potential as human beings, in all of the complicated and beautiful ways that life beckons us to do, means keeping space for those meditative moments – to think, to breathe, to allow life to enter into the blank space that we create when we stop and ponder for a moment."
Peter Bevan-Baker