Leaked policy documents have revealed Labor's new policy offerings to Victoria as the state gears up to hit the polls for a state election on November 26.
Documents obtained by Australian newspaper The Age unveiled a raft of policies, including free dental, new public holidays, and the possible introduction of a four-day working week with no cut to pay.
Four-day work week trials have taken place across the globe in recent months, with some employers reporting higher staff satisfaction and no drop in productivity despite staff working less days.
More than 3,300 employees across 70 UK companies participated in a four-day working week trial with no pay loss and, as the sixth-month trial hits its halfway mark, things are looking up.
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An update from by think tank 4 Day Week Global, who ran the trial, confirmed that around 86 per cent of companies would be interested in keeping the four-day week in place.
Chief executive of 4 Week Global Joe O'Connor said: "We are learning that for many it is a fairly smooth transition and for some there are some understandable hurdles - especially among those which have comparatively fixed or inflexible practices, systems, or cultures which date back well into the last century."
The trial was also held in Australia and New Zealand.
Additionally, Mercer’s Australian Benefits Review surveyed 378 Australian businesses in 2021 and found that almost 27 per cent of Aussie employers are offering their staff a four-day week.
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Those who took part in the shortened week reported feeling 'less stressed' and felt they had less 'risk of burnout'.
So, things are sounding pretty sweet for Victorians right now.
That is, provided the policy makes the cut.
Despite the Victorian Labor's policy manifesto being chokka block with sweeteners that are sure to excite the Victorian people, The Age also reported of rumblings from within the party and tensions boiling over.
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According to The Age, unions and rank-and-file members reacted with anger and infighting in the wake of the election promise document.
The Melbourne metro paper also understands that some took issue with how the document has been crafted.
The draft policy document was emailed to Victorian Labor rank-and-file members on September 16 who were advised they had 10 days to provide feedback.
Pre-election policies are expected to be finalised in October.
So fingers crossed that Victorians will get the chance to vote on a four-day working week.
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LADbible has reached out to the Victorian state government for comment.
Rachel Lang