Four-day week could be a goer

A FOUR-DAY week is something we would all love but is it realistic in a tourism destination such as Cairns?

It would be difficult to implement in sectors that have 24/7 cycles, such as the media, or those who operate seven days a week, including tour operators, hotels, emergency services, retailers, restaurants, cafes, the airport and the casino.

But the four-day week would work in many government departments, local councils (many of which operate a nine-day fortnight system) and businesses which open Monday to Friday, such as banks, insurance companies, recruiting firms, lawyers and accountants.

It could possibly work on building sites but that would depend if workers improved their production efficiencies to cram five days into four.

Many of us love our weekends and the chance to go fishing, play golf, take a boat out on the water or other leisure activities.

However, it’s something worth exploring as a three-day weekend is far more appealing in the Far North with its inviting lifestyle and environment.

A New Zealand company has trialled a four-day week and it’s proven so successful that Perpetual Guardian is making it permanent.

It’s something that could work here if it is beneficial to both employers and staff. Nick Dalton Deputy editor