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Jacinda Ardern Suggests New Zealand Could Have A 4 Day Work Week

Jacinda Ardern Suggests New Zealand Could Have A 4 Day Work Week

As the country moves out of the pandemic, the prime minister says a shorter work week could help the economy.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

A four-day work week has been proposed by New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern to allow Kiwis the chance to travel around the country and inject some much needed cash into the local economy.

Sadly, it's not an idea that can be mandated by the Prime Minister, however Ms Ardern has told her followers on a Facebook Live video that it could be beneficial.

She said: "I hear lots of people suggesting we should have a four-day work week.

"Ultimately, that really sits between employers and employees. But as I've said there's just so much we've learnt about Covid and that flexibility of people working from home, the productivity that can be driven out of that.

PA

"Think about if that's something that would work for your workplace, because it certainly would help tourism all around the country."

New Zealand has been praised for its hardline approach to the pandemic, which saw all parts of the country plunged into lockdown for several weeks.

There have been just 1,503 infections since the pandemic started and 21 deaths. According to figures from Bing, there are only 40 active cases remaining.

A four-day work week has been shown to do wonders for some offices that have made the switch. An Australian company moved to a shorter week while keeping the same pay for employees and saw a marked improvement in productivity.

VERSA is a Melbourne media agency that creates 'world-first experiences across voice, digital and mobile'.

VERSA

Managing Director Jonny Clow has told LADbible: "We literally close the office on a Wednesday which allows our team to fit in some life admin, family time, sport or sleep into their week rather than having to squash it all into the weekend.

"After trying lots of flexible arrangements that didn't work (people taking so many different days off that it became impossible to manage), [company CEO Kath Blackman] realised she could create a single day-off for everyone.

"Wednesday makes sense as it's the middle of the week. Approaching a business like two small weeks creates a whole new model. Friday becomes a day of great industry in what can be seen a slack day where people have a long lunch or leave early.

"Revenue alone was up 46 percent YOY and staff retention is up from 72 percent to 88 percent. Staff are happy and the company is thriving and we hope our case study will help other companies be brave enough to do the same."

So, there's definitely grounds for companies in New Zealand to adopt the idea if they want to potentially help the country.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News