AN island distillery in Scotland has introduced a four-day working week for its “close-knit” team.
The Isle of Barra Distillery’s team of six will enjoy a shorter working week as of January 2022, with their health and mental wellbeing "being top priority”.
Isle of Barra Distillers is Scotland’s most westerly whisky and gin producer and was founded in 2017 by husband and wife Michael and Katie Morrison.
The Morrison’s said: “We have taken some time to think about the pros and cons and had discussions with employees to make sure this change will benefit everyone. Our employees agreed they would prefer working slightly longer hours in order to work fewer days.
“The four-day working week would provide employees with more free time outside of work, with no loss in pay. They are all looking forward to the change to their working week as there are several advantages such as cutting down on childcare costs, less commuting to work and simply having more time to spend with loved ones.”
The bosses added that, if needed, the change could be flexible to take into account their team’s circumstances and the hours they worked.
The distillery said the small team had already adapted their work processes to the shorter week. The change means orders will no longer be dispatched on Fridays, but the distillery’s team believes this is a worthwhile pay-off as staff would come to work feeling “refreshed and energised for their working week”, boosting productivity.
This decision comes following a nationwide discussion of the four-day working week and research from the think tank IPPR revealed that 80% of Scots were in favour of reduced hours if it did not mean losing pay.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel