The Greens have for some time been advocating that employees work a four day week, however as they were not invited to attend the economic roundtable discussions commencing in Canberra next Tuesday they will be unable to advocate this initiative. In the place of the Greens the ACTU has committed to push for the adoption of its key four day week policy at the forum.

Four Day Working Week on Agenda

TheGreens have for some time been advocating that employees work a four day week, however as they were not invited to attend the economic roundtable discussions commencing in Canberra next Tuesday they will be unable to advocate this initiative.  In the place of the Greens the ACTU has committed to push for the adoption of its key four day week policy at the forum.

At the forum the ACTU will suggest moving towards a four-day working week where appropriate and where it is not, put in place sector-specific alternatives which may include adding more rostered days off, increasing annual leave and redesigning rosters to provide increased predictability, security and work-life balance.

The ACTU is stating that employee’s pay would not be reduced, with pay and conditions protected, with these protections extending to penalty rates, overtime and minimum staffing levels.There are two ways the four-day working week can operate. The first is when the hours worked in a five-day week are compressed into a four-day week, meaning longer working days.The second is that employees work less hour per week but are paid as if they were working 38 hours per week.

It has been cited in research that employees engaged in trials working a four-day week suffer less stress, anxiety and burnout, this is difficult understand if a four day working week requires employees to work additional hours per day to work the equivalent of 38 hours over 4 days.However, if the working week was 32 hours, it is easier to understand and I believe that will be the push.

The various positions of all parties will be revealed next week.