Thu, Mar 16th 2023
The city of Zurich is launching a pilot program among its city employees to determine if working a 35-hour workweek for the same pay results in better outcomes and lower stress levels, according to city councilor David Garcia Nuñez.
“We urgently need to slow down,” said Nuñez, adding “Who, if not the rich city of Zurich, can afford to try the 35-hour week?”
Full-time Swiss employees work, on average, 41.7 hours per week. Switzerland also has one of the highest rates of employees working part-time, especially among women and parents.
According to new federal data, a Swiss employee works, on average, 31 hours per week when taking part-time work into account. That trend has been exacerbated by a rising number of skilled workers choosing to retire early or leave their jobs due to burnout. This is especially prevalent in the healthcare field. (Read more: Inside the Swiss healthcare crisis)
Should this trend continue, the shortage of skilled workers could become greater. Moreover, the fewer hours Swiss employees work, the less money that will be paid into Switzerland’s national pension, AHV. Moving to a 35-hour workweek may deter employees from choosing part-time jobs or to leave the workforce entirely, supporters say.
While similar pilot programs had been suggested, none gained traction until the Covid-19 lockdowns when achieving work-life balance became a priority for many. The measure passed recently in the cantonal parliament in a 60-57 vote, mostly backed by a left-wing majority.
The pilot will begin with employees who work in shifts – those in sanitation, police and transport – as they are exposed to the highest levels of stress. The city will “scientifically” monitor employees’ health and productivity in their newly reduced shifts. The city will also consider the reduction of CO2 emissions due to reduced commutes.
While there is no estimate yet on how much the pilot would cost or how many employees will be involved, one study found that if the entire city administration staff worked a 35-hour workweek it would result in CHF110 million additional expenses. Moreover, 1,500 employees would need to be hired to “fill the gaps.”
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