The employees of Unilever in Australia will soon be part of a trial to study the effectiveness of a four-day work week.
Starting 14 November 2022, all the 500 employees of the consumer goods company in Australia will work only for four days a week with no change in their pay.
A similar trial by the Company in New Zealand that lasted from December 2020 to June 2022, gave very positive and encouraging results.
The official website admits that the Australian market is bigger in size and more complex than that of New Zealand and is looking forward to deriving more insights from this trial.
Initially, the Australian trial will last for a year before being evaluated. The employees will be paid their full salaries, but will work only for 80 per cent of the time, and hopefully exhibit great productivity by delivering 100 per cent business results, as per the 100:80:100 norm.
During the New Zealand trial, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School had monitored and measured the trial with the help of surveys, detailed interviews and so on.
A significant 67 per cent of the New Zealand employees admitted enjoying better work–life balance. Stress reduced 33 per cent and there was a 15 per cent increase in staff feeling more strong and energetic at work.
Unilever is committed to offering its employees flexible work options by 2030.
