Scotland Offers 4-Day Work Week To Public Sector Employees In Exchange For Pay Cuts

Scotland¡¯s public sector workers are set to be offered a four-day week in exchange for pay cuts, in an attempt to tackle a soaring taxpayer-funded pay bill, as per TheTelegraph UK.

Documents published alongside this week¡¯s SNP (The Scottish National Party) spending review, which reportedly outlined the need for serious budget cuts to plug an estimated ?3.5 billion black hole, state that a four-day week could offer an ¡°opportunity¡± to save money on salaries.

The plan to associate pay with a reduced work week has reportedly provoked a backlash from campaigners and trade unions, who believe working fewer hours would lead to increases in productivity and that employees should not have to accept reduced salaries.

The Scottish Government said that it was committed to exploring the development of ¡°non-pay benefits¡± for public sector workers, which would include ¡°the right to disconnect¡± and a four-day week, as per TheTelegraph UK report.

It added, ¡°In the longer term, this could be an opportunity to limit the cost burden of pay awards to employers.¡±

It has been estimated that around 30,000 of 585,400 public sector jobs in Scotland will have to be cut to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The Scottish Government will reportedly offer the staff an additional day off (through 4 day work week) in exchange for a 20% pay cut.

It said that the changes could help create ¡°high-value job opportunities¡± which contribute to the ¡°well-being economy¡± while saving money.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ¡°The 2022-23 public sector pay policy introduces the option for employers, in discussion with trade unions, to explore piloting a four-day working week.

¡°More details regarding the four day week pilot in the public sector will be set out in due course, with the aim to begin the pilot later this year.¡°

shutterstock

Also Read: 4-Day Workweek Trial Set To Begin In The UK With 100-80-100 Model

Union¡¯s Reaction To The Proposal

Cat Boyd, the national officer for the PCS union, which is campaigning for a four-day week in the public sector without a loss of pay, reportedly branded the notion ¡°ill-considered and frankly insulting¡±.

She further said ¡°Our members shouldered the burden of austerity in 2010,¡± she said. ¡°Now, we¡¯re seeing threats of further pay cuts for the workers who helped keep Scotland running during the pandemic, as per the TheTelegraph UK report.

shutterstock

And that¡¯s not all. She added ¡°A shorter working week has shown, through independently commissioned research, to improve productivity and wellbeing without requiring a reduction in pay. Any reduction to the working week which cuts pay reverses the economic and workforce benefits¡±.

The union¡¯s national officer also said, ¡°Any proposal which includes a further loss of pay coupled with a cut in hours represents more broken promises from the Scottish Government when it comes to their staff.¡±

Also Read: This Company Is Allowing All Its Employees To Work From Abroad For 6 Weeks Every Year

For the latest and interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.