New push for four-day work week and more annual leave in productivity discussion

Unions have made a new push for shorter working hours and more annual leave in return for productivity gains.

Aussies yearning for a four-day work week could have their wish granted sooner than they think.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation have made a fresh push for shorter working hours and more annual leave in return for productivity gains.

It comes in response to the Productivity Commission, which will inform the discussions at next month’s economic reform roundtable.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed to The Australian he would favour reforms that had “broad support”.

The four-day work week is gaining momentum. Picture: iStock

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Speaking to The Australian, The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s national secretary Steve Murphy said, “One of the ways that we can share in productivity, if we’re more productive over the course of the week, is to work less hours. That would be a great outcome from a productivity discussion.

“Or (if) we were able to have more annual leave to spend our time with the people we love and care about.”

Murphy believes there are multiple ways of reducing working hours without cuts to pay, such as a four day working week, a nine-day fortnight or a 35-hour week.

“Where we would like it to get is that there is a much more healthy balance between time at work and time with your family and time for leisure than what it is right now.

“Productivity can’t be at the expense of the wellbeing of workers.”

He also argued that a better work-life balance was more crucial than cutting income or company taxes, saying that most workers believed in the value of tax to fund government services and infrastructure.

Murphy believes “productivity can’t be at the expense of the wellbeing of workers.” Picture: iStock

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On Monday, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek joined a Sunrise panel, revealing that the government was open to listening to all views at the roundtable, though they would not be attempting to improve productivity by “(asking) people to work longer for less”.

“We want to invest in our people, boost training, invest in technologies and new ways of working, make sure that we’re playing to our competitive advantages as a nation,” Plibersek revealed.

“That’s how we boost productivity.”

Tanya Plibersek joined a Sunrise panel this week to discuss the four-day week. Picture: Supplied

Globally, Canadian businessman and multi-millionaire Kevin O’Leary, best known for his role as one of the investors on the program Shark Tank, last month branded the idea of a four-day work week “stupid” on an appearance on Fox News.

“There is a big push now for a four day work week, do you think we will become like the French?” one of the presenters asked.

The four-day work week is becoming increasingly popular in France, with the country launching it’s first official pilot of the program in 2024.

In 2000, the country also legally mandated a 35-hour work week, with any hours worked beyond this considered overtime.

“That’s the stupidest idea I have ever heard,” he said.

“I think we should let the French go to a two-day work week and then kick their arse internationally.”

Multi-millionaire Kevin O’Leary is against the four-day week. Picture: Facebook

The outspoken businessman claimed that in our post-pandemic world and new digital economy, there is “no such thing as a work week” anymore.

But this isn’t to say Mr O’Leary thinks a traditional five-day work week is the answer either, with the multi-millionaire taking a more outcome focused approach.

“Look at my staff, 40 per cent of them work remotely all around the world,” he said.

For example, if a project is due by June 15, then he doesn’t care how many days a week his staff work, so long as the work is done on time.

One of the common ways that companies implement a four-day week is by using the 100:80:100 model, in which staff keep 100 per cent of their pay but have their work hours reduced to 80 per cent.

Other options include allowing staff to work a shorter week but for less pay, or offering standard 40 hour weeks condensed into four days.

Originally published as New push for four-day work week and more annual leave in productivity discussion