LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston City Council has voted to make a four-day workweek permanent for its city hall employees.
"We initially started a pilot of the four-day workweek several months ago," Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline told NEWS CENTER Maine. "Based on the response from staff, and the realities of recruitment and retention in today's job market we made it permanent [Tuesday] night."
The schedule has city hall open Monday through Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. It will be closed on Fridays, a change intended to improve employee work-life balance.
While many support the move, not everyone is on board. Councilor David Chittim expressed concerns about how the reduced hours might impact residents.
"The folks who are relying on access to city hall are being denied that service for one day a week," Chittim said.
Councilor Michael Roy echoed similar concerns, stating, "Everybody I’ve spoken to has said this is a big, big inconvenience to them."
Mayor Sheline emphasized the city's efforts to expand digital services, allowing residents to conduct many transactions online.
"Residents will be able to apply for permits and conduct city business all from the comfort of their living room rather than having to come into City Hall," Sheline said.
City staff reported minimal public complaints during the pilot program, and many employees expressed support for the four-day schedule. Sheline believes this change is crucial to keeping Lewiston competitive in today's evolving workplace environment.
"There are many municipalities here in Maine moving to a four-day workweek," the mayor explained. "Doing so here allows us to remain competitive for employees and I just think this makes a lot of sense."