Four-day work week “damaging” for jobs

While the idea of a four-day work week is catching up among businesses, not everyone is in favour of it. One of them is Australian Industry Group Chief Innes Willox.

The idea of a four-day work week was put into the spotlight last year after Microsoft implemented a successful trial in Japan which saw a 40% increase in productivity and support from 92% of its employees.

But Willox believes it could bring more damage than good in Australia.

“Any reduction to the standard 38-hour work week in Australia without a commensurate increase in productivity or a matching reduction in weekly pay would be very damaging for jobs, investment and productivity,” he said.

“Many employees work part-time and that is of course fine, but the idea of employees effectively working part-time for a full-time wage has no merit.”

With European nations such as Finland expressing more support of a four-day work week, Willox believes it might not work for every country.

“The reality is that most European countries have higher rates of unemployment and lower rates of economic growth than Australia”.