The potential for four-day weeks to be introduced for staff at Norwich City Council has been given short shrift by tax-paying folk outside City Hall.
If the project is pursued, council workers would significantly reduce their hours while remaining on the same salaries.
A motion was put forward by Green councillor Josh Worley, which the controlling Labour group amended by saying further discussions must be based on evidence. If it went ahead, taxpayers would not receive a cut to council tax.
Professional quizmaster Robert Pond, 69, who was shopping at Norwich Market, said: "Given the state of local government finances this is the worst possible time to introduce a four-day week for staff.
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"It's ridiculous, they should be working harder for us to solve our problems."
Another doubter, Derek Drummond, 47, added: "Have you tried getting them to come and sort your garden out?
"The council is bad enough as it is without them all taking a step back, but to be honest I don't think it will happen.
"The country is in a bad state as it is without people like the council not being on hand when people need them most."
Some were more open to the idea but said it would have to be proven to increase productivity during a trial period before being taken on.
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Maureen Smyth, 76, said: "I think they should roll it out but watch what is being done, monitor the staff.
"If things improve and they're coming in fresher keep it going then if certain people don't perform as well sack them and get more efficient workers. If they all stop doing as much work you'd have to keep things as they are."
Some were in full support of the city council but said it should lead by example rather than isolating itself on a different working pattern to the rest of Norwich.
Sally Whynne, 53, said: "I'm all for it. They have it abroad don't they? And most things work better on the continent than they do here.
"But I do think it'd be wrong to just have those in charge of the city on it, they should lead by example and encourage everyone in Norwich to have a go and see if it works.
"What harm can it do, we all work too hard anyway, life is for living."
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