Batchewana First Nation (BFN) announced today that it will permanently adopt a four-day work week following a year-long trial run.
"BFN administrative leaders identified that adopting a four-day week as a business improvement strategy centred on working smarter rather than longer, and investing in the well-being of the most important asset to any business – people – could be a worthwhile venture for the community," says a news release issued by BFN.
The release states that staff "surveys produced overwhelmingly positive results indicating an increase in staff’s mental health, the importance of work/life balance and the reassurance that community members access to services has not changed or been impacted."
Full text of the release follows:
After a successful trial run that began on May 23, 2023 Batchewana First Nation (BFN) will continue with their proactive approach to help create a healthier work environment for staff by continuing with a four-day work week for the foreseeable future.
BFN administrative leaders identified that adopting a four-day week as a business improvement strategy centred on working smarter rather than longer, and investing in the well-being of the most important asset to any business – people – could be a worthwhile venture for the community. The new model, which focuses on 100 per cent of the pay, 80 per cent of the time, in exchange for 100 per cent of the productivity proved successful for the First Nation.
BFN conducted numerous surveys for staff and community to asses the impact of the new schedule. The surveys produced overwhelmingly positive results indicating an increase in staff’s mental health, the importance of work/life balance and the reassurance that community members access to services has not changed or been impacted.
Natalie Atkinson, BFN’s chief operating officer commented, “BFN has proven to be a progressive employer that values work life balance. Servicing our community and supporting our staff remain our top priority. According to our community survey 80 per cent of respondents said their access to services was the same or better, these results weighed heavily on our decision to continue with the adjusted schedule.”
Chief Mark McCoy added, “Our staff are hardworking, dedicated individuals who often are responsible for much larger workloads than their counterparts in other organizations. We recognize that these added responsibilities can be overwhelming so we want to acknowledge and applaud our staff for their efforts. The intent of the four-day work week is to prevent burn out and reduce staff turnover while increasing productivity, as well as to show our appreciation for their efforts.”
BFN will continue to evaluate the adjusted schedule to ensure that it is in the best interest of both staff and the community.