By allowing a four-day work week, the government could save PS21m.

A union claims that the government could save up to PS21.4m a year by allowing civil servants to only work four days per week.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), in a study, found that if employees of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Defra), were allowed to reduce their working days, while maintaining the same salary, there would be cost savings from a decrease in staff turnover and absences.

A 57% reduction in staff turnover would allow the department to hire 2,345 additional people. Meanwhile, a 65% decrease in sick leave would result in a gain of 328 workers.

PCS General Secretary Fran Heathcote stated: “We have long argued about the social, practical, and professional benefits of working four days a week. Now, this research shows that there are also financial benefits.” This research also shows that the only reason for opposing employees working four days a week is ideological. Why would an employer stop progress?

The union for civil servants released its findings after interviewing more than 1,200 workers. They are part of a campaign to encourage Defra, the Department of Agriculture to implement a pilot program within the department that promotes the benefits of a 4-day work week.

Heathcote said: “Our members believe that a four day week is crucial to achieving a high quality of life. It improves their health and well-being, and helps them meet their caring responsibilities. All the while, it increases their productivity.”

Joe Ryle, Director of the 4 Day Week Campaign said: “The idea of a four-day work week has finally come into its own. A four-day work week without any pay loss can be a win for both employers and workers, as hundreds of British private companies have shown.

It’s time to test if this can be applied more widely in the public sector, and Defra would be a good place to begin. We are proud to support PCS members with their campaign.”

A spokesperson for Defra said, “There is no plan to implement a four-day work week.”

The Department highlighted that it offers “generous policies” for occupational sick pay and family-friendly policies as well as flexible working arrangements.

Unions working for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government joined Defra in their campaign for a four day week, and employees of the Office for National Statistics plan to strike because of mandatory attendance at work.

The Metropolitan Police Staff is currently voting over whether to strike in protest at the compulsory filing of office returns. Voting closes on 10 December.

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