How could a four-day week work for Kiwis?

Thursday, 21 May 2020

Some industries are better suited to a four-day week than others, experts say.

The benefits of a four-day work week far outweigh any potential problems, according to a lawyer who has already made the change.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has encouraged people to think about whether a four-day week could fit their workplaces, in hopes of stimulating more domestic travel.

It's an idea Waikato lawyer Jacqui Owen said employers should seriously consider.

Her Morrinsville firm, Jacqui Owen Legal, made the switch to four-day weeks about six months ago, with the three full-time staff each taking a day off from Tuesday to Thursday.

Morrinsville lawyer Jacqui Owen says her business will be sticking with the four-day week.

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'We need to be open on Friday — that's when a lot of settlements go through — and we're usually quite busy on a Monday as well.

'Although we're not taking a long weekend, it does give people the flexibility to get things done during the week without having to ask for time off,' she said.

Despite a few teething problems and the interruption of Covid-19, Owen said her team would be sticking with the new routine.

'There were a few issues with getting people to understand the person they'd usually see isn't there,' she said.

'I'm terrible for picking up extra work on my day off just because I'm not doing anything else but nine times out of 10, people can wait.'

Economist Brad Olsen said some industries would be much better suited to a four-day week than others.

'The whole concept works on the assumption that everyone is working nine to five, Monday to Friday, and that's not the case.

'Office workers are prime for a four-day week, but they don't make up the entire workforce.

'I'm not sure how it would work if you worked in retail, for example.'

While there needed to be a focus on the domestic tourism market, Olsen said New Zealanders should 'remain circumspect' about how much of a rebound there could be.

'We've had fewer Kiwis in work, and many of those who are still working have reduced hours. There is less money to spend on travel.'

AUT human resource management professor, Jarrod Haar, said even within a single industry, some businesses would find it easier than others to adapt to a shorter week.

'Places where the workers are already stretched thin probably couldn't manage it,' he said.

'I'm always curious about places like hospitals, where the doctors probably need less work. They probably wish they were only working five days for a start.'

Haar has been closely following four-day work trials around the world and said there was some evidence they could be successful.

Last year, Microsoft had trialled a four-day work week in its Japan offices and found productivity increased by almost 40 per cent.

In New Zealand, the short week has been promoted Perpetual Guardian, which found that it boosted productivity among its staff by 20 per cent.

'There are wellbeing benefits for employees with things like mental health and that's good for employers as well,' Haar said.

'Happy, healthy workers are more productive and less likely to take sick days.'

Haar said businesses considering introducing a four-day week should let their employees drive the change.

'There are a few different ways the week could be structured. For some businesses, it might be possible to boost productivity across four eight-hour days.

'In others, it could be a case of staff working four 10-hour days.'

Most employers and managers wouldn't get it right without staff input so employees should be encouraged to pitch in and come up with a solution that worked for everyone, Haar said.

In Owen's case, the team started earlier, finished later and took a shorter lunch break to make up for the extra day off.

While the arrangement worked for them, she said every business would be different.

'The key is to work with your own staff and see what works for them and for your business,' she said.

'But certainly don't get hung up on the idea that you'll have to shut the office one day a week because that doesn't necessarily have to be how it works.'