'It will be interesting to see if this optimism is justified'
Employees across Australia have high hopes that a four-day work week will come to their workplaces soon, according to a survey from Hays.
In a LinkedIn poll, Hays garnered nearly 42,000 responses and found 40% of the respondents think a four-day work week will be a reality in the next five years. For others, it would take:
- 12 months (16%)
- A decade (21%)
- Never (23%)
"It seems that many workers are optimistic about the prospect of a four-day working week becoming a reality," commented Nick Deligiannis, managing director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand, in relation to the survey.
This is despite conflicted views between those who support and oppose the scheme.
"Proponents argue a four-day work week can boost productivity, improve employee morale and wellbeing, and reduce stress and burnout. At a time of talent shortages, it can also aid candidate attraction, engagement, and retention," Deligiannis said in a statement.
However, employers are concerned that a shorter work week could lead to lower productivity, higher labour costs, and more pressure on staff to meet current outcomes, according to the managing director.
Four-day work week sees momentum
The survey was carried out amid growing conversation on the introduction of a four-day work week scheme in Australia.
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The Senate Committee on Work and Care recommended in March a trial of a four-day work week scheme across different sectors and locations. The scheme involves having employees work for 80% of their ordinary work weeks while retaining their full salaries.
A four-day work week pilot was also carried out by 20 participating companies in Australia and New Zealand in 2022 under the 4 Day Week Global.
Unilever also trialled its own four-day work week scheme after seeing success in its New Zealand pilot.
"As organisations continue to experiment with different working patterns, it will be interesting to see if this optimism is justified and whether the four-day work week will become more widely adopted in the years ahead," Deligiannis said.