Aussies aren’t willing to give up working from home for four-day week: new research

Workers shouldn’t have to surrender any of their existing rights for a shorter week – especially one that has forced Peter Dutton into a huge policy backflip – experts say.

The lure of a four-day work week is not enough for Aussies to give up working from home.

Two-thirds of Australian workers prefer a four-day week over the traditional five-day model, but only a third are willing to return to the office full-time to get it, according to new research from HR tech leader HiBob.

Only 23 per cent of women – who are considered most likely to be disadvantaged by mandated return-to-office policies, as they bare the majority of caring responsibilities for families – are prepared to give up hybrid-work arrangements for a four-day week. This is compared to 41 per cent of men.

Further findings show just 22 per cent of workers would accept a pro-rata reduction in their holiday allowance for a shorter work week, while only 15 per cent would accept a pro-rata cut to their pay.

HiBob customer success manager Sabrina Scherm says hybrid and remote-work arrangements have become so entrenched in workplace culture that employees now view them as a right and not a benefit that can be traded for another perk.

“The pandemic accelerated a shift toward hybrid work and our data shows workers are reluctant to give that up – even for the appeal of a shorter work week,’’ she says.

“Similarly, pay and leave entitlements are essential for financial security, especially in the current economic climate.

“A four-day week only works if employees feel they’re gaining something in addition to existing perks and benefits.’’

HiBob customer success manager Sabrina Scherm says employees now view remote-work arrangements as a right.

Maintaining work-life balance

Work arrangements are shaping up as a battleground for May 3’s federal election.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was this week forced to backflip on plans to force public servants back to the office full-time, admitting the disastrous policy was unpopular with voters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to protect flexible work arrangements, while claiming Dutton wants to undermine work rights and doesn’t understand modern families.

The Greens – who were also critical of Dutton’s failed return-to-office pledge – are pushing for a four-day work week, saying wages have not kept pace with productivity gains.

Marisa King, sales manager at AIS International Criminal Screening Group, supports a four-day work week – provided she can continue to work from home.

King is required to do some interstate travel for her role, but otherwise arranges her work hours around the needs of her family. She says any change to traditional five-day work arrangements must ensure that a healthy work-life balance is maintained.

“A four-day work week is something I would definitely welcome, even if I had to work longer hours over those four days to make it happen,’’ she says.

“But if it meant losing key benefits, like my annual leave allowance or hybrid way of working, that would be detrimental.

“Flexibility is great but it shouldn’t come at the cost of a healthy work-life balance or benefits that were seen as the norm.

“If a four-day work week is about improving our overall wellbeing and productivity, then companies need to ensure they’re not taking away the very things supporting that.’’

AIS International Criminal Screening Group sales manager Marisa King supports a four-day work week, if she can continue to work from home during it.

Prioritising worker autonomy

Workers would still be paid a full-time wage under the four-day work model, says work expert John Hopkins, from Swinburne University of Technology. This is regardless of whether they are working a 30-hour week instead of the traditional 38 hours, or a compressed week comprising the same hours over fewer days.

“Otherwise, (working fewer hours for less pay) is just part-time work,’’ he says.

Hopkins is not surprised workers prefer flexible and work-remote arrangements over a shorter week.

“When (workers) are working from home, they have a little bit of flexibility over start and finish times and when they have a break and it helps them to balance their work and home commitments,’’ he says.

“Workers have a bit more autonomy over where, when and how they work when they have those hybrid, flexible-work arrangements versus a four-day week where it’s set in stone – you are going to be working (fixed hours over) those four days.’’

However, unlike flexible-work and remote-work arrangements, a four-day week can be implemented for frontline jobs, with trials already underway in the retail sector, Hopkins says.

‘It’s about working smarter’

There is strong interest in a shorter work week among both workers and employers, says 4 Day Week Global co-chief executive Debbie Bailey, stressing the models touted by most proponents require no compromises.

“There shouldn’t be a trade off with flexibility and reduced work hours,’’ Bailey says.

“They actually go better when they go hand-in-hand. They should be seen as partners rather than competitors.’’

Bailey says the four-day week proposed by most advocates, including her own organisation, is the 100:80:100 model – whereby workers receive 100 per cent pay for 80 per cent of their time, while maintaining 100 per cent output.

She says of those companies to trial a four-day work week, few have reverted back to the traditional five-day week.

Productivity has not only been maintained over the reduced working hours, but in many instances has increased, she says.

Employee wellbeing and staff retention and absenteeism rates have improved, while workers also reduce commuting times and childcare costs, Bailey says.

“The four-day work week is almost like clickbait out there – it’s the phrase everyone latches on to,’’ she says.

“But it’s not necessarily about (working only) four days. It’s about working smarter.

“This is a productivity exercise for organisations and, where businesses do this well, they will actually increase their productivity and increase their bottom line.’’

Benefits of a four-day work week

For workers:

• Reduced burnout and stress levels

• Increased work ability

• Reduced commuting time

• Reduced childcare costs

For employers:

• Increased revenue and worker productivity

• Decreased employee resignations and absenteeism

• Easier to attract workers

Source: 4 Day Week Global

Originally published as Aussies aren’t willing to give up working from home for four-day week: new research