The five-day working week is considered the benchmark of a standard work schedule. As revealed in a new Senate committee report, however, this is now under inquiry.
The committee of work and care have released a 33-recommendation report pertaining to Australians’ work-life balance.
Supporting the trial of a four-day work week at full pay, the report also implores the Government to extend paid parental leave (PPL) to 52 weeks, and increase the award wage for carers.
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Chaired by Greens senator Barbara Pocock, the committee urge the federal government to take part in a 100:80:100 model.
“Whereby employees retain 100 per cent of the salary while reducing their hours to 80 per cent while maintaining 100 per cent productivity,” the report stated.
As witnessed in international trials, the four-day working week has, thus far, retained the productivity of staff, with some companies continuing to adopt the model permanently.
Four-day work week in Australia
So, what does this mean for us?
While Labor and Coalition senators have unanimously supported these recommendations, the suggested policy changes are not guaranteed to take place.
Acknowledging the impact it could have on “social policy”, the committee have passed the baton to the federal government.
“It is now the role of government to consider the report and its recommendations within the context of broader budgetary and legislative constraints,” Labor senators Deborah O’Neill, Jana Stewart, and Linda White wrote.
Reduced work research
This release of this report aligns with the recent completion of the first large-scale four-day work week trial.
Results from the British trial (that branched across 33 companies) confirm that staff were more productive, revenue rose from eight per cent, and 67 of employees reported they were less burnt out.
The four-day working week has garnered international attention following the adoption of more hybrid working models post-pandemic.
Aimed to better the wellbeing of full-time workers, lead researcher of the trial told Bloomberg, “For the wellbeing of people who have jobs, it’s critical that we address the structure of the work week.”
The Australian committee chair, Barbara Pocock relayed this notion when stating, “It is time for a new social contract, fit for the 21st-century workplace, that does not put the burden on workers juggling care responsibilities around their jobs.”
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