A group of people in professional attire jump up and down together.

Four-day work week: Trialling the future of work

Victoria Quayle ||

There is no question that one of the most intriguing topics in the employment law space at the moment is the proposed introduction of a standard four-day working week.

This line of thinking has been trending – not just in Australia, but across the globe – and it seems like it is here to stay…at least for a little while longer.

So, what is happening with the proposed four-day working week? Well, quite a lot.

Oxfam opens up to four-day working week

In a big move by Oxfam Australia, its full-time employees that are currently working 35-hours per week may soon get the opportunity to reduce their hours to 30-hours per week, without any loss of pay.

This is thanks to a proposed a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) which is yet to be given approval by the Fair Work Commission. Oxfam Australia is expected to trial the four-day work week system with its full-time employees. Part-time employees will have their hours and entitlements prorated based upon a full-time workload of 30-hours per week.

Keep your eyes on this space.

Senate Committee recommendation

It’s not just Oxfam Australia that has come to the party, with a move to phase in the four-day work week. A Federal Parliamentary Committee has recommended that more companies trial the four-day work week with the backing of the Federal Government.

The Committee’s proposed model is known as the ‘100:80:100’ model, which essentially means that employees work 80 per cent of the week (four days) while suffering no loss of pay and maintaining full productivity levels. Maintaining productivity is likely to be a key condition of the four-day work week model actually being embraced by employers in Australia.

The trial is expected to occur in selected industries and an Australian university.

What are the takeaways from companies that have already trialled four-day work weeks?

There are already companies in Australia and overseas that have trialled a four-day work week. Early signs indicate that they have seen an improvement in productivity, work-life balance and the health and wellbeing of their employees.

It’s pretty easy to see why a growing number of employees are pushing for a four-day work week. The main theoretical benefits to employees are:

  • Improved productivity;
  • Improved mental health and wellbeing;
  • Greater flexibility, for working parents in particular; and,
  • Reduced frequency of personal or carers leave being taken.

While the above benefits appear on paper and there have been reports of success in other companies implementing a four-day work week, the real test will be when it is applied on a broader scale across different industries to see how universally compatible it truly is.

A concern may be that the four-day work week simply won’t suit industries where hours of work on the current 38-hour/five-day work week are a necessary fact of life and that moving to a model which promotes a 30-hours/four-day work week would prove too difficult. Further, it could also be said that the move to a four-day work week will disincentivise employers from providing opportunities for pay rises where they don’t feel that productivity is being maintained or improved with a four-day work week.

Time will tell as to whether the four-day work week is something that moves from being just a ‘good idea’ to a tried and proven reality in the Australian workplace.

If you would like to seek advice on the above topic, please contact our Employment Law experts.

Share:

Send an enquiry

Any personal information you provide is collected pursuant to our Privacy Policy.

Categories
Archives
Author

More posts

Employers should exercise caution when dismissing during probationary period

Can you dismiss an employee during the probationary period? Yes, but a recent case is a lesson in caution. The recent Federal Court decision of ‘Dabboussy v Australian Federation of Islamic Councils’ is a warning to employers to consider the importance of timing if dismissing an employee during probation.

The business impacts from the Government’s new cyber security laws

Cybercrime ‘is a multibillion-dollar industry that threatens the wellbeing and security of every Australian’. In an effort to combat the impact on businesses and individuals, the Australian Government has introduced cyber security legislative reforms into the Parliament.

A guide to intrafamily adoption

Adoption is the process where a parent’s legal rights for their child are transferred to another person. The formal adoption of a stepchild or close relative is known as intrafamily adoption.

Passenger movement and visa data-matching by the ATO

Heading overseas for work or a holiday? Taxation issues, including tax residency, should be on front of mind when departing from or arriving to Australia. Why? Because the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can follow your footprints and, if you’re not careful, spring unexpected taxes on you.

Is it really necessary for my executor to have so many powers?

People often question why the executor of their estate needs to have so many powers. Simply put – if your executor isn’t given any additional powers by your Will, then they are limited to what is set out in the Trustee Act. One area that this can lead to issues in, is the family home – particularly if beneficiaries aren’t in agreement.

Essential terms of a commercial lease

A commercial lease is a contract that details the rights and obligations of a tenant and landlord. So, what are the necessary terms of a commercial lease?

Responding to data breaches

In the final part of our four-part series on your business’ responsibilities related to cyber attacks and data breaches, Special Counsel John Bennett how businesses should respond to data breaches, including application and requirements of the Notifiable Data Breaches Scheme.

Security of personal information

Part 3 of a four-part series on your business’ responsibilities related to cyber attacks and data breaches where Special Counsel, John Bennett provides an overview of some court decisions and proceedings where ‘security’ of personal information has come into issue.

Parental alienation in Family Law

The concept, Parental Alienation Syndrome, was initially brought about by American psychiatrist Richard Gardner in 1985. The term parental alienation is used to describe a situation where one parent is involved in psychologically manipulating their child to turn against the other parent.

Are you liable for labour hire workers if they are injured?

Many employers (host employers) engage employees of labour hire companies, particularly in the building and construction, hospitality and manufacturing industries. However, what happens when one of these employees gets injured at the host employer’s work site? Who is liable for the injuries?

© 2024 Coleman Greig Lawyers  |  Sitemap  |  Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. ABN 73 125 176 230