The District of Summerland is moving to a four-day work week this summer.
A release says the town will be compressing full-time hours from Tuesday to Friday for all municipal hall staff.
The trial period will begin July 2 and run for 18 months.
During the four-day work week, services at municipal hall will begin earlier at 8:15 pm and extend until 5 pm. SErvices will still continue over the lunch hour period.
The release says the district received feedback from residents that extended hours would better accommodate their business and personal schedules.
In response, the district and union collaborated to provide a longer workday and extended service.
Although most services at municipal hall will be compressed, others will continue on a different schedule.
Building inspections will continue five days per week and Corporate Services will happen on a five day basis, but by appointment only on Mondays.
Bylaw services will continue to moderate their scheduled according to the busy summer season with a seven day per week schedule at this time.
“The customer is our number one priority, and it is my hope that these extended hours make a real difference for our residents and the business community,” said Graham Statt, Summerland’s chief administrative officer .
“At the same time, this approach could really help our efforts to attract and retain staff in a very competitive labour market. Turnover affects service, and serving the customer well means keeping the staff we have and having the ability to attract qualified individuals for the positions we need to fill.
Summerland joins other communities testing out the four day work week.
In September 2022, the City of Merritt said it would be implementing a four-day work week on a one-year trial basis. They made the change in an effort to attract and retain more workers at city hall.
Results of Summerland’s trial period are expected to be brought back to council in the fall of 2024.
Statt says council meeting days will change from Mondays to Tuesdays, starting on July 18.
