Hamilton-based company introduces shortened work week for blue-collar workers
Hamilton-based manufacturing firm Longveld has introduced a four-day workweek for its blue-collar workforce following widespread approval during its trial run.
The metal fabrication company, founded in 1992 by Pam and Les Roa, employs around 80 staff, most of whom work on the tools, Stuff reported.
Pam Roa, managing director of Longveld, told Stuff that they first started reading about the work arrangement in 2018.
The firm's initial two-month run on the work arrangement saw employees working four 10-hour shifts a week, which saw 80% of employees happy with the set-up.
Another 15% thought the system could work with a few tweaks, while they worked with the remaining five per cent who weren't too happy with the arrangement.
This led to the trial getting extended to seven months, according to Roa.
"At the end of that, 85% were happy so we went into consultation to make it permanent," she told Stuff.
The change led to a restructure, according to the managing director, who revealed that two people left as a result of the arrangement.
Roa also bared the challenges of introducing a four-day work week to blue-collar workers, as the arrangement was most commonly introduced for office-based staff.
"We could see how that could be easy in an office environment, but we had no idea how to make it happen for us," Roa told Stuff. "But we thought if we didn't adapt, it would be like a freight train coming down the line and we'd be forced to change."
Charlotte Lockhart, CEO of 4 Day Week Global, Roa's willingness to take on the challenge is what sets Longveld apart from companies still hesitant to change.
"People go 'Oh, I can see how you can do that in an office, but it would be impossible for us.' Pam sees it as part of her journey to being a better workplace. The difference between those who do it and those who don't is just a business leader who says 'Let's give it a go,'" Lockhart told Stuff.
Lockhart further commended Roa's inclusive approach to change management, emphasising the importance of employee engagement.
"You have to let your people help come up with plans and strategies to make the programme work," Lockhart said.
Four-day workweek arrangements have grown popular over the past years in the wake of emerging flexible work arrangements.
Unilever carried out a successful 18-month pilot of the work arrangement in 2022, which was eventually expanded to Australia.
In the same year, various firms in Australia and New Zealand also participated in a four-day work week trial run that was also run in other parts of the world.
Kiwis also appear to be optimistic about the possibility of four-day work weeks in New Zealand after a LinkedIn survey in 2023 found that 40% believe the arrangement will "become a reality" within the next five years.
