Amid a slew of layoffs and cutbacks in the North American media industry, Rogers Publishing has chosen a different type of cost-saving regime. All full-time staff of the media giant’s publishing arm have been asked to consider taking a twenty per cent pay cut by shifting to a 4-day work week.

Rogers spokesperson Louise Leger said:

“The four-day work week offered to publishing employees is purely voluntary and time limited…Its purpose is to save money.”

The offer is open to the more than 1000 employees of Rogers’ more than 70 publications, including Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent and MoneySense.

Employees must apply for the program before Jan. 26.