SPler demands 38-hour working week for civil servants in Bern

Civil servants in Bern should work less. The two SP members Andrea Zryd (47) and David Stampfli (40) want to order the government council of Bern to reduce the working hours of cantonal employees from 42 to 38 hours a week. And that at the same wage, the two demand an advance.

The two councilors justify their motion with the fact that more and more states and companies are reducing weekly working hours. A similar initiative for a 38-hour working week has already found a majority in Basel-Stadt. There, the government council will now investigate the cost consequences of such a reduction in working hours.

Iceland and the UK lead the way

The Bernese SP duo is already certain that the positive aspects outweigh the negative: “Iceland already tested a four-day working week between 2015 and 2019,” says Andrea Zryd. “And because of the good experiences, Iceland then introduced the 35-hour working week for everyone in 2021,” adds Stampfli.

In Great Britain, too, numerous companies tested the four-day working week last year and most have now definitively introduced the shortened working week due to the positive experiences, the comrades write.

More and more companies

Companies such as the Japanese electronics giant Panasonic and the food multinational Unilever have also discovered the four-day week for themselves. Several Swiss companies also reduced their working hours – including in the canton of Bern. In July last year, Siloah’s private clinics reduced nursing weekly work hours to 40 hours. From next year, employees will even benefit from a 38-hour working week. And at Spiezer SH Elektro Telematik GmbH, the 35-hour working week has been in effect since September 2022.

For the SPler it is clear that both the company and the employees will benefit from the reduction of working hours. With the latter, work stress decreases, which is good for health, and satisfaction increases. The reduction of working hours also improves the compatibility of work and family life.

Canton is a role model

The introduction of reduced weekly working hours increases the attractiveness of companies as employers, which Stampfli says should not be underestimated in times of skilled labor shortage. The higher employee satisfaction also has a positive effect on productivity.

“We believe that the canton would do well if it set a positive example. After all, he has a role model function,” says Zryd. In addition, Bern also feels the shortage of skilled workers. “If the canton does not act in time, Bern will soon have problems finding qualified personnel.” It would therefore be good for the canton to reduce the weekly working time to 38 hours – and possibly create additional jobs.

Important for healthcare

“But I don’t think many jobs should be added. A study from Great Britain certainly does not point in that direction,” says Zryd. “But in nursing, for example, it would be desirable if the work was spread over more shoulders could become.” And in the canton of Bern, they are ready to hire more nurses – only there are hardly any. “With shorter working hours, there is at least hope that the staffing situation will improve,” explains the Social Democrat.

Dear readers, what do you think of the SP initiative? Is a 38-hour work week appropriate? Or is that unfair because you can’t afford such working conditions in the private sector? Write below in the comments!

Source:Blick