Thousands of public servants could get their chance at a four-day work week as the ACT government considers ways to cut workloads for the civil service.
The territory agreed earlier this month to set up a working group from 2024 that will create a road map for a four-day work week trial in which public sector employees lose no pay provided they still maintain full productivity.
“The government notes it will explore a future trial within the ACTPS [ACT Public Service] and will test the reduction model of the four-day work week where there is no loss of pay or conditions for ACTPS employees,” the ACT government said in a statement.
However, the government also expressed hesitancy about whether a four-day week could be achieved, saying it was “mindful of the clear benefits” as well as “challenges”.
“While productivity may increase, it may not increase sufficiently or with enough longevity to fund the model in the longer term,” the statement continued.
“Further, staffing in many frontline areas will most likely have to increase to ensure adequate roster cover and ensure service delivery is maintained.”
Though the trial will apply only to the public service, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr previously said a full implementation of a four-day week would apply across the whole territory economy.
The government’s confirmation comes in response to a September report from the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality, which considered versions of the four-day work week including reduced hours with no loss of pay or productivity, compressed hours (leading to longer days) and hybrid models.
The committee concluded the reduction model — which the government has now agreed to trial — had the greatest support in the ACT.
“[The model ] includes an additional condition of no reduction in output for the employer when compared to a normal five-day work week,” the report stated.
“A shift to a four-day work week would involve a four-day work week being considered full time [employment], with all the societal repercussions that involves.”
Further, the report said common perceptions of a reduced working week — including that it could cause poorer pay and conditions for employees, lower productivity and increased costs to business — were challenged by its findings.
It found employers considered the disadvantages of a four-day work week to be greater than employees did.
“Interestingly, findings from recent Australian four-day work week trials state that 70 per cent of participating companies reported an increase in productivity and 30 per cent reported that it stayed the same,” the report stated.
“Many respondents [to this inquiry] posited that a four-day work week would result in less procrastination and ‘presenteeism’.
“While the committee acknowledges that some specific industries (mainly frontline services) would experience a loss of worker and business productivity if a four-day work week were implemented, the majority of evidence shows that productivity can be maintained or increased across the economy at large.”
The report found evidence suggesting a four-day work week could improve staff retention, work-life balance and worker and business productivity, provide people with more time for caring responsibilities and help address work-related stress and burnout.