A TRAINING and learning company in Holmfirth is proposing a cut in working hours – to safeguard the jobs of more than 70 employees.

CragRats Ltd said it was set to implement the move to a four-day week for 74 staff and the firm’s directors to head off job cuts as the economic downturn hits.

The four-day week will operate for three months with staff earning 80% of their current salary.

The scheme was proposed to staff last week and is subject to approval later this month. If it is approved, the scheme will run from May 1.

The proposal does not affect local businesses CragRats Brasserie and CragRats Café Bar, but focuses on the learning side of the business, which employs 74 staff.

Laura Kirwan, CragRats director, said the scheme had a clear aim – to protect jobs.

She said: “During the spring and early summer months, CragRats’ education work becomes quieter. This reflects the seasonal nature of our work.

“To accommodate this dip in projects, we have reduced working hours.

“This will not affect our productivity or our ability to deliver client work in any way. Neither will it impact on our restaurants.”

She added: “We are taking this pre-emptive action to protect our business and all our staff.

“We see an advantage in maintaining our reputation as good employers.

“The proposal means we can be as productive as ever, retain talent and take advantage of the upturn when it comes.”

CragRats was established in 1991 and provides learning and training for the public and private sectors across the UK – using drama to get the message across on issues such as health and safety, equality and diversity, leadership and management and team working.

The award-winning company employs 110 full and part-time staff.

It also runs the CragRats Brasserie, at Sheffield Road, near Hepworth, and the CragRats Café Bar at Dunford Road, Holmfirth.

The company, which has Investor in People status and a KiCKstart equality award, won a National Training Award in 2007 and a Management Today/Unisys Service Excellence Award in 2006.

It has also attained a two-star rating in the annual Best Company to Work For Survey.