Four-day work week doesn't pass the pub test: publican

A four-day working week for the price of five would not work according to the owner of two Wangaratta pubs. At this week's Economic Reform Roundtable the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) will propose a four-day week for workers who would maintain a full week's pay. But while the notion might seem fanciful at best, it definitely doesn't pass the pub test when it comes to hospitality. Town 'N' Country Tavern and West Side Tavern owner Shayne Gannon said industries like hospitality and retail aren't always considered when these sort of discussions take place as they have significant trading hours compared to operational office hours. "I don't know how they think they could apply this to hospitality and retail," Ms Gannon said. "Our trade is not in consistent patterns so if you are working over an eight-hour day there are periods of lunch and dinner trade and there is a very large gap in the middle. "There are only so many jobs like polishing cutlery and doing the dishes you can do in between. "In the past I have offered full-time management roles where I've allowed them to split their management hours across four days and have a three day weekend. "But this doesn't suit every position and it certainly doesn't suit every venue." It comes as the Victorian government is looking to engrain working from home at least two days a week into law next year and it is currently seeking community feedback. Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant said while local council is supportive of flexible working arrangements and it endeavours to give all staff this opportunity, council must also maintain a strong productivity focus in order to serve ratepayers in the best possible way. "While I am not aware of the exact detail of what the ACTU proposes, it would seem that working less, but for the same pay, would have a negative impact on organisational output, and ultimately the budget," Cr Grant said. "This for the rural city would present some challenges across the services and infrastructure it delivers to the community." The ACTU will argue this week that workers deserve to benefit from productivity gains and technological advances, and that reducing working hours is key to lifting living standards. They say the idea is that Australia move towards a four-day work week where appropriate, and use sector-specific alternatives where it is not. ACTU propose that pay and conditions - including penalty rates, overtime and minimum staffing levels - would be protected to ensure a reduced work week doesn’t result in a loss of pay. There would be sector-specific models for reducing working hours include adding more rostered days off, increasing annual leave, and redesigning rosters to provide increased predictability, security and work-life balance. The ACTU highlighted that according to the Productivity Commission’s research paper ‘Productivity before and after COVID-19’, Australians have been working record-long hours, which has contributed to the productivity slowdown. ACTU president Michele O’Neil said the report notes that those additional hours have not been matched by business investment that would allow people to work more efficiently. Mr O'Neil said shorter working hours are good for both workers and employers, as they deliver improved productivity and allow working people to live happier, healthier and more balanced lives. “Unions want all Australians to benefit from higher productivity – not just those with money and power," he said. The Australian Restaurant and Cafe Association (ARCA) warned that the ACTU's push for a four-day week will slash productivity and hit hospitality businesses hard. “Hospitality isn’t an office job. We can’t cram service into fewer days,” ARCA CEO Wes Lambert said. "In hospitality, fewer trading days means fewer sales, or higher prices to cover costs — neither makes the economy more productive."

Four-day work week doesn't pass the pub test: publican

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