A proposal to reduce the working week to 4.5 days is being considered by the Highland Council.
If approved, the council would close at Friday lunchtime and staff could either work their existing contracted hours in a shorter time period or reduce their contracted hours on a voluntary basis.
The council - which faces a funding gap of £21m in 2016/17 - said the move would generate ‘significant’ savings through the reduced use of facilities such as heat and power.
Budget leader, Cllr Bill Fernie, said: ‘At this stage this is just a proposal, but we think it is a good idea and one which compare very favourably with some of the other options coming forward, and we will be consulting widely.
‘It is our priority to maintain services and jobs in Highland and as such, this is part of a package of proposed measures, with the aim of setting a balanced budget, whilst protecting key services.’
