A four-day working week might soon be trialled for ACT public servants. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
ACT public servants might be getting closer to a four-day working week, with the government agreeing to examine the pros and cons of a trial.
While the ACT Government has serious concerns about the proposal, it will set up a working group to look into the impacts the changed working week could have on productivity and rosters.
Following a Legislative Assembly committee inquiry, the committee suggested a trial would be appropriate, stating that the ACT was in a good position to change the working week for its public service workforce.
It recommended the government establish a working group to delve into the practicalities and logistics of a four-day working week trial.
The public servants should not lose any pay, benefits or conditions as a result of the trial, it said.
The government agreed to explore the prospects of a trial, and in particular which public sector workplaces would be best suited to test the four-day week.
“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 government said in a statement.
“The ACT government will look to setting up a working group in 2024 to develop a roadmap to inform a future trial within the ACTPS …
“Whilst productivity may increase, it may not increase sufficiently or with enough longevity to fund the model in the longer term.
“Further, staffing in many frontline areas will most likely have to increase to ensure adequate roster cover and ensure service delivery is maintained.”
The government was responding to the Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economy Equality, which tabled its report in September following extensive hearings into the suggested workplace reform.
The committee noted then that the ACTPS was ideally placed to start its own trial of a four-day work week.
It considered different iterations of a four-day work week: reduced hours with no loss of pay or productivity, compressed hours (leading to longer days) and hybrid models.
The committee concluded that the ”reduction model” had the greatest support in the Territory.
“[The model proposed] 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 that involves.”
The report noted perceptions this policy would result in a loss of conditions and pay for employees, loss of productivity and increased costs to business, and cited issues around the arrangement for non-permanent or part-time staff were widely challenged during public hearings.
It also found employers considered the disadvantages of a four-day work week to be greater than employees did.
At the ACT Labor Party annual conference in July, members voted in support of a trial and a move towards a four-day working week.
The committee also has recommended a pilot program for private sector employers to voluntarily trial a four-day working week for their staff.
The government has agreed to help with this proposal also.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Riotact.
