5-day work week a boon for many, but a bane for some

Nagpur: Following in the Centre’s footsteps, the state government recently implemented the five-day weekly work policy for all its employees.
The policy, however, comes with a rider — an extra hour of work for five days with Saturdays and Sundays being holidays.
To get a diverse view on the subject, TOI spoke to employees attached to different departments that come under the ambit of the state government.
Manisha Sawale, district information officer at directorate general of information and public relations (DGIPR), Wardha, said, “Generally speaking, it’s not a bad decision. But honestly, for us, there’s hardly anything to gain as my department works from
8am to 7pm. We rarely get weekends as offs because our work revolves around the movement of ministers. Apart from working on weekends, we will now have to put in an extra hour daily.”
Shailja Wagh, assistant director of information, DGIPR (Nagpur), lauded the state government’s move. “We welcome the decision. It was our long-pending demand which has been implemented. The best part is that we will finally get to spend quality time with our families. From the time the central government implemented this policy, we were waiting for the state government to do the same. The move will certainly boost our performance and productivity. The policy is a boon to employees who are posted away from home. They will now get time to catch up with their loved ones in a qualitative manner.”
For Nilesh Gawande, a range forest officer stationed in Bor, the decision will certainly help many employees to relax and recharge their batteries. “It’s indeed a very good decision. If we go by the calculations, then five days per week are sufficient to get the assigned work done. The remaining two days can help employees to unwind and destress. Our union was wanting this decision to be implemented and eventually, it was implemented. However, I feel that the biggest gainers will be the ones who do only office work. For those who have field job responsibilities like maintaining law and order will not be able to gain from this policy,” said Gawande.
On the flip side, some feel that the move will make employees slack and lazy. Chandrakant Chimote, retired range officer, said, “I don’t think this policy will make the right impact. I feel that most employees don’t have the attitude to work diligently. And if you give them an extra off day on a weekly basis, then why won’t they be happy? But in reality, the quantity of work will come down and productivity will take a hit. Workers are entitled to a break from 2 to 3pm. But they leave before 2 and return after 3. People have a tendency to skip work.”