Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's plan to introduce a five-day week for civil servants may have pleased workers, but critics, among them his own advisers, accused him of bypassing both the Executive Council and the legislature. An Exco member said the idea, which was understood to come directly from Mr Tsang and not civil service minister Joseph Wong Wing-ping, had not even been put to Exco for consideration. 'It had only been made known to us the day before and I suspect the sole reason for rushing to an announcement was a public relations measure to show the government is not a heartless boss, after two teachers killed themselves [last week],' the Exco member said. 'Bypassing us is bad enough, but what is worse is that such an ill-conceived plan might backfire among the public. Also, civil servants might not even thank him for the so-called gift as they are only required to work half days at weekends twice a month.' It is understood ministers and department heads had not been extensively consulted. Lawmakers also did not know about the plan until yesterday's Legco session. A Civil Service Bureau source said: 'The chief executive alone claims all credit. Perhaps the rushed announcement was to show he is leading a strong government.' A spokesman for Mr Tsang admitted the timing of the announcement was related to the 'heated debate about work-related pressure' and said it was designed to improve people's quality of life. But the spokesman said the plan had emerged years ago and senior officials had been consulted previously.