According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Stian Lindgård described the four-day workweek as primarily a recruitment measure to attract workers in a competitive labor market. He noted that the municipality wants to be special and attractive, and that unconventional measures may be necessary. Lindgård also warned that without restructuring, the municipality could end up in the Robek register for municipalities with poor financial management.
Nationally, over 70% of working Norwegians want a shorter workweek, according to a Norstat survey for NRK. However, Marit Roxrud Leinhardt of KS told NRK that shortening working hours is problematic under the collective agreement framework, though municipalities can redistribute hours over four days. Kristin Alsos of Fafo said some companies with alternative schedules have seen reduced sick leave and improved work environments, but there is little research on long-term effects.
We want to do something different, and be special and attractive. Then we have to implement measures that are perhaps unconventional and new.
Kvænangen is also the only municipality in Troms county that refuses to resettle refugees, according to official sources.
I have told the municipal council that if we do not restructure, we will end up in Robek.
A four-day workweek is first and foremost a recruitment measure, which can make us attract labor. So it can be economically wise in the long run, in a time where the competition for labor is tough. We are now investigating how and if we can achieve it.