The latest Women in the Workplace report from HR tech services provider HiBob has revealed that the majority of Australian workers would not support a four-day work week if it comes at the cost of flexible working arrangements, salaries or holiday allowances.
While the research found that 65 per cent of Aussies would like a four-day work week compared to the traditional five-day one, this is on the condition that it would mean better work–life balance and staff happiness without a reduction in productivity.
As such, only 15 per cent would be willing to make the shift to a four-day week if it meant a pro rata reduction in salary, and only 22 per cent would accept a pro rata reduction in holiday allowance. Moreover, only 33 per cent would give up flexible working arrangements, like hybrid working, for a four-day week working solely from the office.
The publication of HiBob’s report comes at a time when Australia has seen a sharp rise in companies adopting four-day work weeks, with many companies that have trialled four-day work weeks reported significant boosts to productivity, happiness and work-life balance. Some experts even believe a four-day work week could become mainstream in just three years.
The report also highlighted what may happen to businesses if they force compromises on their workers especially as the findings are even more pronounced for women than men. 69 per cent of women and 60 per cent of men would like a four-day work week compared to a five-day one, but only 23 per cent of women and 41 per cent of men would take it if it meant returning to the office full time.
Sabrina Scherm, HiBob’s client advocacy manager, commented, “For four-day work weeks to become mainstream, employers are going to have to take a leap of faith. It’s understandable that many business leaders are sceptical, but the results from trials show that it works, and it doesn’t come at the cost of profitability.
Scherm added, “What our data shows, however, is that businesses who are thinking about moving to a four-day work week, should do so without forcing employees to compromise. Otherwise those businesses may experience a further decrease in productivity or an increase in employee churn.”
The fourth annual Women in the Workplace report surveyed a thousand men and a thousand women in Australia to uncover workplace trends and attitudes. The research assesses pay, job progression, leadership, job security and more, at a time when the country faces economic uncertainty.
