Young Aussies Reckon It’s Time to Embrace the Four-Day Work Week—So Where Is It?

What are we waiting for? 👀

Following Belgium’s recent announcement of a four-day work week, and with pilot programs set to run in Scotland, Spain, Japan, Iceland and The United Arab Emirates, Australians are starting to get itchy feet.

It seems the consensus from young people we polled is pretty positive towards the idea.

But to get a better idea of what a four-day work week would actually look like and how likely we are to see it introduced in Australia, we chatted to PhD candidate in industrial relations at the University of Sydney, Rick Sullivan.

What is the four-day work week?

The work week as we know it has only been a thing since 1948, when the Commonwealth Arbitration Court approved a 40-hour, five-day working week for all Australians.

There hasn’t been a huge reduction in standard hours since 1988, which cut 40 hours a week down to 38.

So, a four-day work week is pretty much what it sounds like. Except that there’s a lot of questions that come with it, like: would different workers take different rostered days off? Would the number of hours worked each day increase? Would schools still operate five days a week?

What has led to its popularity?

Rick cites the anti-work movement, the ‘great resignation’ and COVID-19.

“The pandemic has resulted in an increased awareness around workplace flexibility, mental health and burnout as well,” he says, “and I think the four-day work week stems from a rejection of the current trend in Australia which encourages overworking.”

If you’re not sure what those other terms mean, it’s all an indication of worker dissatisfaction and a longing for more free time and flexibility.

Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander de Croo, said the aim of Belgium’s reform is to “make people and businesses stronger”, which suggests the four-day work week would be economically beneficial as well.

What are the benefits of a four-day work week?

Keep in mind that both pros and cons are very speculative.

Rick recognises that lots of talk about efficiency are “blanket statements”, but says “I think a four-day work week would be good for people who like to diversify their work routine.

“People with side-hustles would benefit and it could also encourage community and family engagement because there are fewer social obligations to work throughout the week."

What are the disadvantages of a four-day work week?

“For this to function effectively, there needs to be some assurance that the wages people receive on a four-day work week are sustainable,” Rick says.

This is where that question of how working hours and wages would be distributed. Rick notes “with wage growth in Australia stagnating for years now, something drastic would need to change for (this) to happen”.

In other words, there would have to be a huge overhaul of systems that are already in place. And with the last major legislation made in 1988, this seems like a big job.

How likely is it for Australia to adopt the four-day work week?

Despite young Aussies and media expressing widespread support for the move, it might be too good to be true—for now.

“To be honest, and it saddens me to say this,” Rick says, “I don’t see a four-day work week in the near future.

“I think such a dramatic overhaul of the status quo does not sit comfortably with many organisations… Workers would need to be very loud for such a large systemic change like this to take place.”

But don’t lose hope just yet.

According to consulting firm Mercer’s 2021 Australian Benefits Review, more than one in four Australian organisations are offering compressed work weeks to their employees.

Plus, an Australian inquiry into the future of the working week was opened in June 2021, which seeks to understand what a four-day week would look like in practice.

Moves are being made in the background—until then, make the most of your weekends!

Header image: Canva.