4-day week in Zurich hotel Practically everyone who can, joins in

13.6.2022

At the two 25hours hotels in Zurich, the four-day working week model has met with broad approval. (Symbolic image: Restaurant Neni in the 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse)
At the two 25hours hotels in Zurich, the four-day working week model has met with broad approval. (Symbolic image: Restaurant Neni in the 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse)
Stephan Lemke/25hours Hotels

The two 25hours hotels in Zurich introduced the four-day week on May 1. General Manager Lukas Meier takes stock in an interview with blue News.

The two 25hours hotels in Zurich have been in a test phase for over a month, which will continue until the end of July: The staff will work a total of 38 hours four days a week, instead of the previous 42 hours spread over five days - this corresponds to one hour of extra work a day or 90 percent working time with 100 percent pay. A good deal for the employees. But why should an employer pay the same salary for less work?

"We would suffer major financial losses if we didn't get enough skilled workers," explains Lukas Meier, General Manager of the two 25hours hotels in Zurich. That's why the company accepts the additional costs in times of a blatant shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the hotel and catering industry.

Higher number of applicants since the start of the test

The number of applicants proves that the concept has been well received. They rose by around 30 percent last month compared to average pre-pandemic times. It is not only young people who are attracted, but also, for example, couples who could save one day a week at a daycare center or external childcare with the innovative working time model.

A four-day week could definitely be a competitive advantage for companies, says organizational psychologist Johann Weichbrodt from the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland in an interview with blue News. "In the context of the change in the world of work, the flexibilization that we are currently experiencing, the four-day week could be a model."

Two consecutive days off are mandatory at 25hours in Zurich, while the third day is integrated into the work schedule according to the wishes of the individual employees wherever possible. "One of our technicians always has Wednesdays off, for example, as he can look after his child on Wednesday afternoons when school is out," says Meier.

General Manager: "Practically everyone takes part"

Participation in the test phase is voluntary. Afterwards, employees can decide whether they want to stay with the four-day week. However, apprentices, part-time employees and pregnant women are excluded from the concept. The latter because of statutory rest periods. Of the 160 employees at the 25hours Hotels in Zurich, 100 are taking part voluntarily. That is practically everyone who can be there, says Meier.

The General Manager emphasizes that all eligible employees can opt for the four-day model, regardless of their area of work or position. "We have already implemented the concept 100 percent at reception and around 70 percent in the restaurant," Meier continues. This is because the company still lacks the staff there at the moment to switch completely to the four-day week. "Until then, the affected employees in the restaurant will be credited with one day per month."

The basic work plan is in place, but the individual interlinking of the work areas is being worked out even better. For example, the early shift at the reception of the 25hours Hotels in Zurich also helps to set up the restaurant tables on the terrace, says Meier. "This adaptation to the new shift schedules takes time, just as breaking out of traditional work structures requires a rethink," he points out possible sticking points.

Two thirds of all hotels are struggling to fill vacancies

HotellerieSuisse, the business association for the Swiss accommodation industry, welcomes the hotel group's efforts. "We think it's fundamentally positive when hotels take the initiative and try out and introduce new working models," Ueli Schneider, Head of Business Development and member of the Executive Board, toldGastro Journal. This is an important measure, especially in times when there is an acute shortage of skilled workers, particularly in the hotel and catering industry. A survey conducted by HotellerieSuisse in January 2022 showed that over two thirds of all hotels are struggling to fill vacancies in their establishments.

The hotel chain 25hors, which was founded in Germany, has already successfully tested the four-day week at its Hamburg location. And General Manager Lukas Meier is already convinced by the new working time model for his hotels in Zurich: "We will definitely stick with the concept."