In Walloon Brabant, provincial agents have been testing a four-day week without a salary reduction for the past few weeks. Workers who are 60 and over have switched to the 4/5 regime without losing any pay, but the formula is only available to those in recognized “difficult” trades. The pilot experiment was proposed by the Walloon minister of public authorities, Christophe Collignon. The formula initially only applied to a few workers under strict conditions, with no long periods of absence during their career and no combination with other forms of time credit or medical half-time. The Provincial College’s deputy-president, Tanguy Stuckens, stated that the aim of the project is to recognize hardship and physical suffering experienced by some workers at the end of their career. He believes that the workers’ extra day of rest can make them more efficient during their work period and reduce absenteeism. The funding is currently limited to a small number of workers, and the formula will be evaluated before potentially continuing. One employee, who has worked 40 years in cleaning, was able to benefit from the scheme and receive an extra day off on Fridays. She found it helpful for her wellbeing while not reducing her salary.
For the past few weeks, provincial agents in Walloon Brabant have been testing the four-day week without a salary reduction.
These workers from 60 and over have therefore switched to the 4/5 regime, without losing a single euro at the end of the month! A formula that seems attractive to many people, but which only targets trades recognized as being “difficult”! The pilot experiment is proposed by the Walloon minister of public authorities, Christophe Collignon.
Strict conditions
Within the agents of the province of Walloon Brabant, initially, the formula should concern a dozen people, at most. It should be noted that the conditions are quite restrictive. No question, for example, of having accumulated too long periods of absence during his career. Nor is there any question of combining this advantage with another form of time credit or medical half-time. “We really want to recognize the hardship and physical suffering of some workers who want to adjust their working time at the end of their career“, explains the deputy-president of the Provincial College, Tanguy Stuckens.”It is a win-win system. The worker can benefit from an extra day of rest and be more efficient during his work period. An indirect benefit is that this system might also reduce work absenteeism. At this stage, we can ensure the financing of the system (which is however not accompanied by compensatory commitments), because the number of people concerned is limited. We will then have to evaluate the formula and see if we maintain it“.
Testimony
It was at CEPES, a provincial secondary school in Jodoigne, that we met a 61-year-old employee who agreed, anonymously, to tell us regarding her experience. This surface technician was able to benefit from this special scheme, following having met the required admission criteria. “After 40 years of cleaning, following twisting dishcloths, etc… The body takes a hit! These are sores here, sores there! Now at least I can take a breather. I have an extra day off, Friday! It allows me to have some time for myself“.
As to whether she would have accepted a 4/5 involving a pay cut, our witness is adamant: “I live alone, I have to pay my rent and frankly, no! I mightn’t afford it! On the other hand, the formula for reducing working hours without loss of pay is ideal for me. And I think a lot of people at the end of their career would also like to be able to lighten their workload.“.
For Isabelle Devos, the establishment’s deputy director, “che system can be a plus for well-being and for end-of-career planning. The worker who can blow an extra day will also be more efficient at work. The project is interesting, but it must be able to remain financeable and feasible in terms of organization“.
In conclusion, the four-day week without salary reduction is proving to be a successful experiment in Walloon Brabant, benefiting those in recognized “difficult” trades. This Win-Win system provides workers with an extra day of rest, increased efficiency during work, and even the potential to reduce work absenteeism. While conditions are restrictive, individuals who meet the criteria can benefit from a reduced workload without sacrificing their earnings. The test-run initially targeted a dozen people, allowing the system to remain financeable and feasible in terms of organization. As the experiment progresses, it will be evaluated to determine its long-term sustainability. For those like the anonymous worker at CEPES, it’s a much-needed reprieve following years of physical labor, and an opportunity to focus on their well-being and end-of-career planning.