The Scottish government has announced plans to trial a new four-day working week, with no loss of wages or cut hours for staff - meaning that their take-home pay will stay the same.
It comes as many are realising that the return to work will take some time, given the events of the past year and a half.
Some are seeing this as an opportunity to implement new working practices, with trials for a four-day working week now officially being floated in Scotland.
Holyrood has commissioned a report, out today, which draws on the experience of similar schemes in New Zealand and Iceland for inspiration.
The report seeks to provide some evidence to support why a four-day working week would be a good thing to introduce, with benefits ranging from increased employee productivity to overall staff happiness and wellbeing.
IPPR Scotland (the Institute for Public Policy Research) has said that there would be a system to assess who will qualify for reduced hours, and these could be given as a mix of annual leave entitlement, more public holidays, and parental leave.
The new Scottish trial will reportedly seek to discover how a Low Hours Commission, as recommended by IPPR Scotland, will benefit those in non-office employment and on lower pay.
Those with part-time or condensed working hours will also be included in the trial.
The report also suggests that maximum hours should be capped, and a minimum hours floor introduced.
This idea is not a new one, and has been floated by politicians in the UK before - notably by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as well as by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking to The Independent earlier this year, Ms. Sturgeon promised to trial the four day working week - and now it appears she is about to deliver on that promise.
She said: “Before the pandemic struck, many people were already worried about work-life balance. We want to do more to support people to achieve a better balance and help businesses employ as many people as possible.
“As part of that, we will establish a £10m fund to support willing companies to explore and pilot the benefits of a four-day working week.”
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Fancy it then? Does this sound like you?
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Popular New York-style pizza pop-up confirms opening date for first takeaway in Leeds
Clementine Hall
New York-style pizza pop-up, Edges Pizza, is set to open in Leeds.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residences across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason it seems.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Edges will be opening their doors in Leeds city centre on Thursday 18 June in a vacant railway arch at Fourth Court on Bridge Road in Leeds' Holbeck area.
It won't be your average pizza shop though, you'll have to preorder for now but trust us - it's worth it.
Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Edges said: "WE FINALLY HAVE an opening date, Thursday 18th June! All pizzas are pre-ordered like we have always done, and are slightly limited for now (still looking for helping hands!!!). The pre-orders will open the day before at 12pm via our Storekit link.
"We’ll be then opening Wednesday to Friday, 4-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 3-9pm. If there are still remaining slots left on the day, you can order up to an hour before the collection time. We have limited seating, for those who travel and would like to eat in. There is plenty of car parking space, to pick up your pizza, too.
"We can’t wait to see you all soon & more importantly, we can’t wait to start making some good food for you again."
We can't wait to get our hands on a coveted Edges pizza slice again, so you best believe we'll be there at the opening with bells on.
Georgina Pellant -
1st September 2021 
