Businesses expect break from tradition will prove tempting
The four-day work week could be on its way to becoming a type of clickbait among jobseekers trawling for new beginnings. The concept is that employees would work four days a week with the same workload and pay.
While there is no data readily available about the number of searches made specifically for roles offering four-day work weeks, Northland businesses say they expect it will become sought after by applicants.
Kevin Hurley, owner of Tony Gordon Panelbeaters and Auto Painters in Whangārei, has been trialling the concept since 2018.
He said the promise of a long weekend hadn’t been as much of a drawcard as expected — yet.
“A lot of people are still timid about it. When I talk to them, they think they’ll only get paid four days and not five, but you’re still doing the same hours, so you’ll get the same money and an extra day off.”
But once that understanding settles in, Hurley reckons jobseekers won’t look back.
“Absolutely, who wouldn’t want to do four days a week?”
He gave the example of a man he had hired upon his return from Perth, who had been drawn to the role by the promise of a four-day work week.
Malcolm Shepherd, founder of Northland financial advice company Quantum Financial Advisers, introduced a four-day week and workfrom-home options for a large portion of his staff.
It was too early in the piece for