Springwater Township's staff pilot four-day work-week
The Township of Springwater will participate in a pilot project shifting all of its 75 full-time employees to a four-day work-week.
The four-day week will begin on April 25, with staff split into two teams.
One team will work Monday to Thursday, the other Tuesday to Friday. Each team working mainly 10-hour shifts.
Related Article: This Ontario township is launching a 4-day work week pilot project
"We've looked at a couple of other municipalities in Ontario who have been able to implement a similar project, and the Township of Springwater wants to put ourselves on the map, and this is one way we feel we can do so," said Springwater's CEO Jeff Schmidt.
In a survey, 90 per cent of staff revealed they would like a flexible work arrangement.
Katy Nary is a township employee who voted in favour of the change. "I love it because I'm going to have more time to spend with my family, and I think it will really give me more time to balance my life and my work so I can enjoy work as much as I enjoy my life."
Residents will benefit from the compressed work-week as well, with access to town hall increasing by an hour per day because of the longer shifts.
The Township said the new working schedules wouldn't impact the taxpayer's wallets.
CTV News app sign-up: Breaking news alerts and top stories delivered right to you
Springwater Township's mayor noted several potential long-term benefits to the changes.
"As many of you would know, resources are limited now, and the completion for those resources is tight, is tough. It's tough to fill positions with good, qualified people, so if you are innovative in your human resource policies, then people pay attention and are attracted to your organization."
Mayor Don Allen said he hoped the move would encourage highly skilled people to future job openings.
The Township will re-evaluate the new four-day work-week project in five months and then determine what changes will be made or if it will move ahead with it permanently.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.