Staff at The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association will work reduced hours on a Wednesday

A Scottish charity is trialling the benefits of staff working a reduced week.

The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), a membership organisation supporting men’s health and wellbeing through Scottish Men’s Sheds, is examining scrapping the traditional five-day working week and has implemented Wellbeing Wednesdays for its committed employees.

The initiative – proven successful in Japan, New Zealand and Sweden – involves staff working reduced hours for an improved work-life balance and employee engagement. The association consulted with its staff to prepare a proposal for its board of trustees identifying how services would still be delivered and the list of benefits for staff and the organisation as a whole.  In mid-October, the SMSA Board approved the proposal.

David Gardner, SMSA chairman, said: “In post-Covid recovery and as a Men’s Health Movement, the SMSA is delighted to lead by example and implement a well-deserved four-day week for our dedicated staff team. Longer hours do not necessarily mean higher productivity and evidence suggests that working fewer hours can increase morale, reduce stress and lead to happier and healthier employees.

“Instead of having a three-day weekend, we feel that a mid-week break on a Wednesday would benefit the team further. This offers the opportunity for our hard-working staff to take a day off to relax, do things they love, spend time with family and friends and/or carry out any personal appointments. It is a win-win situation for both the organisation and the staff.”

The SMSA Board will trial the new working hours pattern and review this in December.