The Labor Party is facing growing calls to legislate a four-day working week and to expand workers’ annual leave rights, as part of a review of Australia’s national employment standards.
The Australian Services Union has told the Albanese government that five weeks of annual leave is necessary to help employees receive instant communications and information updates from the workplace, and to allow workers to take adequate breaks to increase their productivity.
As part of a submission for review by a parliamentary committee, the union has argued that additional paid leave would increase long-term productivity, reduce illness and injury and give workers more energy and enthusiasm.
The union has also called for creating “shift fairness” rules, giving shift workers predictable patterns and at least two weeks’ notice for shift changes by their employer.
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The union represents more than 135,000 workers in industries including transportation, local government, call centers, social and community services, energy, water, airlines and the private legal sector.
The proposals include at least six months’ notice before jobs can be cut due to the advancement of artificial intelligence technology.
ASU secretary Emeline Gaske said members have reported facing difficulties trying to take annual leave in “blocks” of a few weeks, either because employers will not approve their plans or because pausing would leave colleagues with unreasonable work demands.
“With increasing work and caring responsibilities, the rising cost of living and increasing demands on workers’ time, we must ensure we have modern standards that give workers the flexibility to manage their increasingly busy lives,” he said.
“Life doesn’t happen in 24-hour increments. You can’t organize childcare, healthcare, or a life outside of work if you only figure out your shifts the night before.”
Last week, the union movement’s peak body urged the Labor Party to reduce working hours for full-time employees and increase hourly rates by 8.5% as a first step towards a four-day week.
In its presentation, the ACTU recommended reducing the maximum working hours from 38 hours a week to 35 and the introduction of the right to request a four-day week, a plan that sparked a reaction from business groups.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black called on the government to rule out a blanket change in licensing fees, calling instead to focus on weak productivity growth, inflation and living standards.
The ASU plan for roster changes would give workers who are not casual employees “predictable working hours” and would require roster coordinators to consider the employee’s personal circumstances, including family responsibilities and care arrangements.
Under the plan, an employee should be allowed to refuse a change in staffing if it is unreasonable for their personal circumstances.
The proposal would also include changes to the rules for medical certificates for staff absences, including that certificates would only be required after two consecutive days of absence from work.
“We’re fighting to ensure that work fits into our lives, not the other way around,” Gaske said. “By protecting workers’ time and ensuring workforce predictability, we can build a fairer and more productive Australia.”
