City officials in Pforzheim are planning to trial a workweek spanning four days.
Stadtwerke Pforzheim, a leading municipal utility in Germany, is set to trial a four-day week model from January 2024. This move is an extension of the company's openness to innovative working models, following the successful implementation of mobile work in 2021.
The four-day week model, developed in consultation with the SWP workforce, aims to improve the working environment and attract young talent. Ulrike Adam, head of human resources and services at Stadtwerke Pforzheim, explains the motivation behind this change, stating, "The four-day week is intended to create a more balanced work-life rhythm and foster a positive work environment."
Under the new model, the weekly working time will be reduced from the current 39 hours to approximately 37 hours. This reduction will result in two free workdays in a corridor of four weeks or 20 workdays throughout the year. The free workday is intended to cover all workdays and ensure supply security.
The hourly wage will effectively increase due to full wage compensation, ensuring that employees' monthly salaries remain unaffected by the reduction in working time. SWP CEO, Herbert Marquard, views the four-day week as a sign of appreciation for the work done in recent years and has confidence in its successful implementation. He expresses great confidence in the workforce, stating, "I have full faith in our employees' ability to adapt to this new working model and continue delivering exceptional results."
If the four-day week model is well received and processes continue to run smoothly, it is planned to be introduced for all employees. The SWP workforce was involved in the development of the four-day week model, contributing to its final version through discussion rounds with management, human resources, and the SWP works council.
It is essential to note that this is an archive post from our website, and some information, like phone and contact options, may no longer be current. For precise and updated details on this topic, I recommend checking official communications from Stadtwerke Pforzheim directly, such as their corporate website, press releases, or local news outlets in Pforzheim. They may provide first-hand reports about any ongoing or planned four-day work week initiatives, their outcomes, and future plans.
Stadtwerke Pforzheim's exploration of flexible working models, like the four-day week, demonstrates its commitment to creating a more balanced and productive work environment for its employees.
The four-day week model, developed in collaboration with SWP's workforce, is an extension of Stadtwerke Pforzheim's commitment to workplace-wellness, aiming to foster a positive work environment and attract young talent. This reduction in working hours, while maintaining the same finance and compensation, is expected to improve employee health-and-wellness through a more balanced work-life rhythm. If successful, this innovative business strategy could potentially benefit all employees in the future.
