Canton to pilot four-day work week

Town Hall, Senior Center to be closed on Fridays. Other hours adjusted. Hours at other facilities will not change.

By John Fitts

Staff Writer

CANTON – Next week, the town will begin a pilot program allowing many town employees to transition to a four-day work week, a move that will result in new hours at Town Hall and the Senior Center, both of which will now be closed on Fridays. Additionally, hours on other days will be tweaked for a trial period through the end of the year. Selectmen will evaluate the change then, with the possibility that it would be made permanent.

Currently, town hall is open every weekday at 8:15 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. three days a week but stays open until 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday and shutters at noon on Friday.

New trial-period hours, for town hall, starting Sept. 16, will be:

• Monday & Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Friday: Closed

The Senior & Social Services Department will be open as follows:

• Monday to Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

• Friday: Closed (Canton Cafe Senior Lunches will moved to Mondays, beginning Oct. 2; No lunches served Sept. 20, 27)

“This pilot program has been designed with two key objectives in mind,” a town press release states. “First and foremost, it aims to provide our residents with extended hours of operation, ensuring ample opportunities to access and benefit from the diverse range of services offered by the town.”

Secondly, the release notes that similar schedules have been adopted in Plainville, Vernon and Mansfield, among others.

“Additionally, the adoption of a 4-day work week is a significant step toward innovative work practices in response to the evolving needs of our workforce. The 4-day work week is widely recognized for its popularity nationwide and is considered a pivotal factor in remaining competitive in today’s hiring environment,” the release states.

While the Board of Selectmen had discussed the matter at earlier meetings, the change was approved in a 4-1 vote on Aug. 14.

Then Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner (now retired) said town staff had responded favorably to the idea but he acknowledge the change would be negative for some who use services at Town Hall regularly. He also pointed out that many services are available online and said Fridays are slower for public traffic.

“There will be people who want to go to town hall and won’t be able to do it. It will be an inconvenience for some. For many, I don’t think they’ll even notice. … You’ll have an opportunity to judge that and determine …. the significance of the impact on the average taxpayer,” Skinner said, referring to the idea of re-evaluating after the trial period.

He noted that public hours at some facilities, such as the Police Department and Department of Public Works, will not be affected, although some employees within those areas could change their work week. The library hours will also remain unchanged.

He also said employees will be putting in the same amount of work.

“I want to make sure it’s clear. Although we talk about people going to a four-day work week, we’re not talking about less hours that they’re currently working,” Skinner said. “They’d be putting in the same amount of hours."

Skinner also acknowledged the new schedule would involve a little more work for the finance department to track individual hours – as some would likely opt for a more traditional schedule– but said many were excited about the change.

Selectman Stephen Sedor disagreed with the plan, saying that the adjustment in hours three days a week was minimal, that the earlier closing on Wednesday could affect some people, as would the Friday closings.

 “I’m just very skeptical and very reluctant to do something that is going to have Town Hall completely closed on a business day during the week,” Sedor said.

First Selectman Kevin Witkos said the four-day week was an idea that could give Canton employees – who are not in the top bracket for pay and benefits compared to some towns – a better chance at work-life balance with minimal disruption to the public. He said it was also a step toward some suggestions made in a survey of town employees and an effort to provide a better work-life balance to town employees.

Via the release, Witkos stated, “Canton is moving forward with this pilot to offer more access to its town residents and visitors through expanded hours during the work period of Monday through Thursday.  Many of the reasons residents visit town hall can be accomplished electronically as we have seen a decline in foot traffic throughout the years.  Additionally, the four-day work week for town staff recognizes the proper work-life balance that we believe will have a positive effect on our talented hard-working staff and enable them to better serve the community Monday -Thursday. Lastly, with town buildings being closed on Friday, there will be a cost savings to all residents.”

On Aug. 14, selectmen voted 4-1 in favor of the idea with member Bill Volovski suggesting the trial period be until the end of the year, rather than the 6 months originally proposed.

During the 4-month trial period, the town will gather feedback on the change from both the community and employees. They can be sent to  4dayworkweek@townofcantonct.org. For further information and updates about the pilot program and change in hours of operation, please visit the Town of Canton website at www.townofcantonct.org.