Reason Party leader Fiona Patten pushes forward with four-day work week talks

Moving to a four-day working week could save Victoria’s budget millions of dollars, with a call for a trial to be rolled out across the state’s entire public sector.

Fiona Patten has called for a four-day working week for public servants. Picture: AAP

Millions of dollars could be pumped back into the state budget if Victoria moved to a four day work week, preliminary costings have shown.

Now Reason Party leader Fiona Patten has called on the Victorian government to trial a four day work week with the view to implementing it across the entire public sector.

Ms Patten has requested a meeting with Treasurer Tim Pallas to seek his support in moving the idea forward.

It comes as the four-day working week was floated by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as one way to help the country’s tourism industry rebuild after the coronavirus crisis.

Costings by the Victorian Parliamentary Budget Office revealed a four-day work week at the Department of Treasury and Finance could save the state’s budged nearly $4 million in just twelve months.

Ms Patten has called for a trial of the radical idea.

“If the trial is favourable, the State Government could roll it out right across the public sector – which accounts for around 11 per cent of the Victorian workforce,” she said.

“The implementation across the public sector would generate a flow on effect to the private sector.

“It would be a boon for workers, as companies strive to compete to make themselves attractive to workers, you can’t put a price on time with your kids.”

Ms Patten said flexible working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic had shown the Victorian workforce was adaptable.

“Many employees and employers alike are finding that allowing for flexible working arrangements can benefit both the worker and the organisation,” she said.

“The Government has indicated they want to keep the positives we have discovered during these trying times, and flexible work arrangements is certainly one of them.”

Ms Patten said the idea would not see a loss of productivity in workplaces.

“Research shows that a four day work week makes people happier and more productive, plus it saves HR money with less people taking stress and sick leave,” she said.

“With no loss of productivity and the advantages of improved employee satisfaction, less time lost to sick leave and better work life balance, this can be a real win-win.

It will mean less cars on the road and extra seats on the train. We have seen the reduction of traffic on our roads during lockdown measures, imagine if we could make some of that permanent.”

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