Namibia is set to pilot a four-day workweek programme in April that will see some companies allowing their employees to come to work for four instead of the normal five days, state television reported on Wednesday.
The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation said the initiative, which would be introduced on a voluntary basis, is being championed by Windhoek-based human resources consultancy Pulse HR Network.
Pulse HR Network founder Jonas told the broadcaster that under the initiative, employees would work four days a week while getting paid the same and earning the same benefits, but with the same workload.
“The model that is used is called the 100-80-100. What that essentially means is that you will get 100 percent of your salary, you will do your work in 80 percent of the time (four days), and what is expected is for you to produce 100 percent of what you normally produce, just in a shorter space of time,” Ileka said.
Pulse HR Network is the local partner of New Zealand-based non-profit organisation 4-Day Week Global, which has been pushing for a global shift towards “working smarter, not longer.”
Ileka said the initiative has the support of both employers and employees, “with supporters of the idea arguing that the deviation from the age-old concept of a five-day work week enhances employee well-being, while also increasing productivity.”
Namibia would become the second African country to launch the four-day workweek initiative following a successful trial in South Africa last year.
Other countries that have piloted and/or are implementing the four-day workweek programme are Belgium, Germany, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom.
JN/APA