‘Commonsense option’: Push for big change to how we work
A Victorian MP is backing calls for a major change to work habits, saying the move is a “logical” one and has widespread benefits.
At Work
Don't miss out on the headlines from At Work. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Victorian party leader has joined calls for the state’s public service to trial a four-day work week.
Fiona Patten, from the Reason Party, said the move would be “logical” and “rational” for thousands of workers.
“At the start of the year I called for a four-day work working week trial within the Victorian public service with a view to rolling out this commonsense option across the economy as we recover from Covid and capitalise on the widespread benefits of greater workplace flexibility,” she said.
“Governments and businesses the world over have been trialling a four-day working week and finding it boosts productivity and profits, saves non-wage costs and reduces absenteeism caused by physical and mental ill health.”
Ms Patten said a public service trial would be a guide for how the system could work for employees elsewhere.
“The potential to simultaneously improve working conditions, work/life balance and productivity is huge; the Victorian public service accounts for about one in 10 of the state’s jobs,” she said.
“We risk little by conducting a simple, limited trial but much should we ignore the opportunity.”
The move comes after Labor’s draft platform containing policies it plans to take to voters on November 26 was revealed.
Proposed policies in the document, which was uncovered by The Age, include reinstating the workers’ family picnic day and making Christmas Eve after 6pm a public holiday.
Gas would also be reserved for local use to ensure the state’s production “directly serves the interests of Victorian households and businesses”.
Fifteen per cent of total parking spaces in the state would remain free for fast-food and retail workers under the plan.
The outer metropolitan ring rail line, which is designed to connect the Hume Freeway in Melbourne’s north to the Princes Freeway southwest of the city, is also a priority.
Originally published as ‘Commonsense option’: Push for big change to how we work
Real reason Gen Z ‘can’t cope with life’
Gen Z cops a lot of flack for being snowflakes – and they are, according to Caleb Bond. But is it entirely their fault though?
Single pic proves WFH is dead in the water
In the heart of Sydney’s bustling financial district, a surprising storefront has popped up. Here’s why office workers fear it’s the death knell for WFH.