NZ PM Jacinda pushes for 4 day week

Thelonious Monk

This woman can't do anything wrong these days in my eyes. The benefits of a 4 day week and reduced hours for those not in the usual working time frame makes a lot of sense to me. Productivity in many companies could probably mostly remain the same.
I think we could just mould a society where maybe things don't need to be open as much and we don't need to be buying things all the time, therefore less work. I know it couldn't apply to every sector but maybe they could be helped in other ways to ensure more free time.
I mean surely the point in life can't just be making money and buying and selling things?
More time with family, more time to be outdoors, more time to look after yourself...
Is it not something to strive towards? Do you think we'll see it in Ireland one day? I hope so.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/21/snap-back-jacinda-ardern-snaps-forward-with-a-four-day-week-no-wonder-shes-popular

ednwireland

you crazeeeee

landofthetree

Two years ago the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was elected on a promise that she would “fix” the housing crisis, but under her watch the wait has ballooned from 6,000 to 14,500 households.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/16/new-zealands-waiting-list-for-state-housing-hits-record-high



She will be voted out in September.

Silentcorner

landofthetree wrote: »

Two years ago the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was elected on a promise that she would “fix” the housing crisis, but under her watch the wait has ballooned from 6,000 to 14,500 households.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/16/new-zealands-waiting-list-for-state-housing-hits-record-high



She will be voted out in September.

She gets fantastic press though...funnily enough I couldn't tell you the name of her predecessor!!!

The Journal run an article a week on her it seems...

landofthetree

Silentcorner wrote: »

She gets fantastic press though...funnily enough I couldn't tell you the name of her predecessor!!!

All style over substance.

suicide_circus

Silentcorner wrote: »

She gets fantastic press though...funnily enough I couldn't tell you the name of her predecessor!!!

The Journal run an article a week on her it seems...

she is woke AF in fairness

salmocab

landofthetree wrote: »

All style over substance.

I wouldn’t pretend to know much about NZ politics but she appears to have played a blinder with covid and in the aftermath of the shootings a couple of years back.

blinding

When you add in the amount of time that people spend commuting ( for some people a ridiculous amount of time ) People are working and commuting for far too long.

If People had a different day off you would be immediately reducing congestion by 20% ! !

It could be a great move for peoples quality of life ! !

Odhinn

blinding wrote: »

When you add in the amount of time that people spend commuting ( for some people a ridiculous amount of time ) People are working and commuting for far too long.

If People had a different day off you would be immediately reducing congestion by 20% ! !

It could be a great move for peoples quality of life ! !

A few years back I took a four day week instead of a pay cut and it was the best thing I ever did. I'd work late when I had to, but still got as much done in 4 days as I did in 5. Co-workers hated me for it, despite the fact they could have gone for the same deal as I got.

salmocab

Odhinn wrote: »

A few years back I took a four day week instead of a pay cut and it was the best thing I ever did. I'd work late when I had to, but still got as much done in 4 days as I did in 5. Co-workers hated me for it, despite the fact they could have gone for the same deal as I got.

I do 3/12 hour days a week. It’s brilliant having time off to collect kids early from crèche and go swimming etc.

shesty

I don't work Fridays.3 day weekend is brilliant, just takes a lot of pressure off, especially when you have a family.

The_Kew_Tour

I be well up for it, but can’t see it ever happening here. The Big boys will make sure of that.

Still I do think full time workers should have at least more holidays. What is it here 20 days? Do what they do in parts of Europe and make it least 30 even 35 and you see big benefits. Studies even show it.

Odhinn

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I be well up for it, but can’t see it ever happening here. The Big boys will make sure of that.

Still I do think full time workers should have at least more holidays. What is it here 20 days? Do what they do in parts of Europe and make it least 30 even 35 and you see big benefits. Studies even show it.

Before even getting to a four day week, two days in a row off should be guranteed by law.

Heart Break Kid

Would you take a 20% pay cut and continue providing the the same effort of 5 days but compacted into 4.

Jurgen Klopp

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Would you take a 20% pay cut and continue providing the the same effort of 5 days but compacted into 4.

Id surely think it's the option of 4 X 10 hour days rather than loosing out a days pay

The_Kew_Tour

Odhinn wrote: »

Before even getting to a four day week, two days in a row off should be guranteed by law.

Ya I think that’s what lot of people say in retail would prefer alright, unless employee would be happy with different.

Again though most companies won’t really agree to that due to timetable issues and with other employees taking holidays, sick leave etc.

PyreOfHellfire

landofthetree wrote: »

Two years ago the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was elected on a promise that she would “fix” the housing crisis, but under her watch the wait has ballooned from 6,000 to 14,500 households.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/16/new-zealands-waiting-list-for-state-housing-hits-record-high



She will be voted out in September.

Yes, her approval rating is an abysmal 65% while the opposition leader has an approval rating of a whopping 7%. Her party = 55% approval rating. Opposition party = 30% approval rating. All points to her being voted out in September....

Annasopra

I work a 4 day week for 6 years now. It means I get 80% of the wage but ocassionslly I do extra shifts to compensate.

Highly reccomend it for all.

Pauliedragon

She's a bit to the left but the Kiwis have one of the worst maternity leave policies in the developed world. Not too long ago you were on your own when a child arrived.

RasTa

I've worked for two big American companies and still working for one and am on a 4 day week. Can do overtime if I want. It's great tbh. Although they are 10 hour days

First was a split shift of Mon, Tues off Wed, Thurs, Fri and weekend off.

Now I'm on Mon-Thurs. Could never work a 5 day week

salmocab

shesty wrote: »

I don't work Fridays.3 day weekend is brilliant, just takes a lot of pressure off, especially when you have a family.

Yeah it’s great the nub for most people will be financial. I do think a lot of jobs could get the same out put from a lot of staff in 4 days over 5 but there are some jobs that would just need more staff like shops. Then production jobs would be similar and construction would be very difficult to make it work although I do think plenty in industry would rather 4/10 hour days over 5/8 but that’s not really the same as thing.

Odhinn

Speaking for meself, I always had more energy for the four days than I used have for the five.

Mad_maxx

Pauliedragon wrote: »

She's a bit to the left but the Kiwis have one of the worst maternity leave policies in the developed world. Not too long ago you were on your own when a child arrived.

employees are not well treated in new zealand

lived and worked there back in the day , very hard headed people , they play a good PR game for the world however , beit in terms of the green - clean image etc

place is horribly polluted when it comes to agriculture and animal welfare is awful , irish farmers would never in a million years get away with what the kiwis do

paw patrol

salmocab wrote: »

I wouldn’t pretend to know much about NZ politics but she appears to have played a blinder with covid and in the aftermath of the shootings a couple of years back.

did she?:
her kneejerk reactions smack of a complete power hungry freak. Mere possession of Brenton Tarrants manifesto can get you 10 years in jail.
She has decided what the people may read or not.

doesn't sound too great to me


Although on topic the 4 day week does sound better, I'd defo get more done

Tom Mann Centuria

paw patrol wrote: »

did she?:
her kneejerk reactions smack of a complete power hungry freak. Mere possession of Brenton Tarrants manifesto can get you 10 years in jail.
She has decided what the people may read or not.

doesn't sound too great to me


Although on topic the 4 day week does sound better, I'd defo get more done

They have one of the best outcomes from the virus so I think they nailed the lockdown almost perfectly. They have banned ISIS propaganda in the same way they banned that cnuts propaganda, so it seems pretty even handed to me too. Sounds great to me.

NZ always strikes me as having very good publicity while in reality being an everyman for himself, stand on you own two feet, obey the law or else society a lot like parts of the US.

I am not saying all of the above is a bad thing as such.
I might be influenced by the fact that any New Zealanders I have met were not very nice people and one had very anti-catholic views similar to what you would get in NI 50 years ago.

I knew someone who went there in the 1980s and they perceived parts of it to be poorer than Ireland at the time.

salmocab

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

They have one of the best outcomes from the virus so I think they nailed the lockdown almost perfectly. They have banned ISIS propaganda in the same way they banned that cnuts propaganda, so it seems pretty even handed to me too. Sounds great to me.

In fact what she did worked great because I didn’t know the guys name until I seen it here which was her aim. Plus I’ve just realised as I type this that I’ve already forgotten it.

paw patrol

Tom Mann Centuria wrote: »

They have one of the best outcomes from the virus so I think they nailed the lockdown almost perfectly. They have banned ISIS propaganda in the same way they banned that cnuts propaganda, so it seems pretty even handed to me too. Sounds great to me.

it does seem great and wondrous until you realise that not only are the telling you want you cannot read but they will imprison you if you are caught.
That dictator stuff.

you may like that , i prefer my freedom tbh.

KaneToad

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Would you take a 20% pay cut and continue providing the the same effort of 5 days but compacted into 4.

No chance. I'd take the 20% cut and provide the effort of 4 days over 4 days. Why would you work for free?

ThunbergsAreGo

While I think its a great idea, nowhere within that article does she "push for a 4 day week"

She just gave a standard non committal politicians answer

BattyInNZ

PyreOfHellfire wrote: »

Yes, her approval rating is an abysmal 65% while the opposition leader has an approval rating of a whopping 7%. Her party = 55% approval rating. Opposition party = 30% approval rating. All points to her being voted out in September....

I remember her predecessor's name! :mad: They caused the housing crisis!

I also worked a 9-day fortnight. It was fantastic - we used to call our 3-day weekend our 'Lifestyle weekend' and there was never any work undone I only had to work an extra 30 minutes a day.

Cookie_Monster

NZ has a 42.5 hour week currently, which is absurdly long compared to other developed nations. even bringing it down to 39 or 37.5 would be a huge win, never mind 4 days.

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

Would you take a 20% pay cut and continue providing the the same effort of 5 days but compacted into 4.

totally

landofthetree wrote: »

Two years ago the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was elected on a promise that she would “fix” the housing crisis, but under her watch the wait has ballooned from 6,000 to 14,500 households.
.

the housing "crisis" is self manufactured. House building over the previous decades has far outpaced population growth, its just average occupancy rates have dropped significantly.

salmocab

A 20% pay cut is only about 10% in real terms after tax. That’s an extra day off for losing about 1/10th of your take home.

Cookie_Monster

salmocab wrote: »

A 20% pay cut is only about 10% in real terms after tax. That’s an extra day off for losing about 1/10th of your take home.

highest rate in NZ is 33% so it would be 13.34%, plus loss of 3% kiwisaver employer contribution

plus potentially no payout, Perpetual Guardian did go to a 4 day week in early 19 without a pay deduction

Perpetual Guardian trial in New Zealand

In New Zealand, trust company Perpetual Guardian announced in February 2018 that it would begin trialing a four-day work week in March 2018. The six-week trial, initiated by founder Andrew Barnes, saw the company's 240-plus staff nominating a day off each week whilst still receiving full pay. The trial, held in March and April 2018, attracted international media attention. In late March 2018, Barnes noted that the trial was going well with staff reporting more time for their families, hobbies, completing their to-do lists and doing home maintenance.

The trial, which was tracked and assessed by the University of Auckland Business School and Auckland University of Technology,was described as a success and 'a total win-win'. Perpetual Guardian then extended the four-day work week scheme permanently.The trial saw increased productivity, customer engagement levels, and staff engagement; reduced staff stress levels; and improved work–life balance.The company's revenue remained stable while costs went down, due to less power being used throughout the period.

The trial sparked publicity both in New Zealand and internationally. New Zealand workplace relations minister Iain Lees-Galloway said the trial was 'fascinating'.

The initiative was held up by Barnes as a way of helping to close the gender pay gap and increase diversity in the workforce. Barnes also held the scheme up as a potential blueprint for the workplace of the future, ensuring companies were attractive to millennials and easing Auckland's traffic congestion.

However, while four-day work weeks were deemed a success for most, not everyone involved within the Perpetual Guardian trial was able to adapt, with some reporting feeling increased pressure to complete work within a shorter time frame, particularly around deadlines. Other staff reported they were bored on their extra day away from work and missed the work environment.

salmocab

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

highest rate in NZ is 33% so it would be 13.34%, plus loss of 3% kiwisaver employer contribution

plus potentially no payout, Perpetual Guardian did go to a 4 day week in early 19 without a pay deduction

I was talking about here as someone had asked would you take the 20% cut for the extra day. I wouldn’t have a clue about other countries systems.

There is a big difference between working the same hours over 4 days verse reducing the hours worked.

banie01

I've worked for company that introduced something similar to Ardern's proposal via a programme called "alternative working schedule".
It split a production line into 3 shifts, a,b and c.
A and b worked rotating 10hr shifts 4 days per week Mon-Thu.
C worked 3 12hr shifts Fri-Sun.

There was some initial issues with production drop in the 1st few months however within 4 months production throughput had increased 20% over previous level on a per hour basis, absenteeism had dropped by 70% and the people working the pattern found that the additional time away from work left them far better able to manage other commitments and family time.

As an aside, Ardern being interviewed this morning and interrupted by an earthquake is honestly a fantastic example of what calm and assured leadership looks like.

Annasopra

Odhinn wrote: »

Speaking for meself, I always had more energy for the four days than I used have for the five.

Yeah probably the same

FVP3

Theres two threads to this thread, one is NZ based politics about which I know nothing. On the other idea, I would love a 4 day week. It's not that easy in office work though, as you would need some group to work an alternating 3 days or so.

Pherekydes

My wife would love a 4 day week. She worked 3½ days last weekend.

Thelonious Monk

It all just seems like one big rush to consume everything at the moment. Why not just slow everything down so we all work less? Things may not be open as much but then we wont spend as much, and may even spend more time with friends and family!
I think we should be gearing towards this instead of hell bent on consuming everything on the planet which is our current trajectory.

Beasty

salmocab wrote: »

A 20% pay cut is only about 10% in real terms after tax. That’s an extra day off for losing about 1/10th of your take home.

They still pay tax on the 80%!

It's not as straightforward as saying 100% becomes 90%

You need to work through the tax rates - if it is 33% and to keep it simple, lat's say that's across all income, then you start with 100% less 33% or 67%

You end up with 80% less 33% or 53.7%

Reduction = 1 - (53.7/67) or 20% of net income

That does reduce because of allowances and lower rates, but essentially 20% off the gross is not too far away from 20% of net, particularly for the higher paid

Only if you pay tax on the "top 20%" of your income does it become a matter of 20% off gross = 10% off net

FVP3

Thelonious Monk wrote: »

It all just seems like one big rush to consume everything at the moment. Why not just slow everything down so we all work less? Things may not be open as much but then we wont spend as much, and may even spend more time with friends and family!
I think we should be gearing towards this instead of hell bent on consuming everything on the planet which is our current trajectory.

Irish people actually save a lot. The problem with reducing consumption is that one man's spend is another man's income. Not consuming very much is where we are in covid, and it might be that we never go back to previous forms of expenditure and that might mean permanent unemployment.

circadian

paw patrol wrote: »

did she?:
her kneejerk reactions smack of a complete power hungry freak. Mere possession of Brenton Tarrants manifesto can get you 10 years in jail.
She has decided what the people may read or not.

doesn't sound too great to me


Although on topic the 4 day week does sound better, I'd defo get more done

Such a strange post.

mvl

paw patrol wrote: »

did she?:
her kneejerk reactions smack of a complete power hungry freak. Mere possession of Brenton Tarrants manifesto can get you 10 years in jail.
She has decided what the people may read or not.

doesn't sound too great to me

Also hope ppl do know how much she's paid by comparison with other world leaders - not sure she's worth the money tbh - last year she was 7th, just after Angela Merkel

banie01 wrote: »

As an aside, Ardern being interviewed this morning and interrupted by an earthquake is honestly a fantastic example of what calm and assured leadership looks like.

Do you know any kiwi who's not used to quakes? cause I don't (they have them all the time), so I am not looking that much into it (the leadership part) from this point of view.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

mariaalice wrote: »

I knew someone who went there in the 1980s and they perceived parts of it to be poorer than Ireland at the time.

Funnily enough, I read an article on something similiar where a Kiwi lad moved to Co Limerick and said Ireland reminded him of NZ 20 or 30 years ago. Of course, if he was living in one of the cities instead of Castleconnell, he probably would have had a different outlook.

mvl wrote: »

Do you know any kiwi who's not used to quakes? cause I don't (they have them all the time), so I am not looking that much into it (the leadership part) from this point of view.

She held her composure well, but yeah, that was the first proper earthquake I've experienced (my heart was jumping out my mouth) and when I went into work, there wasn't really much discussion over it, even though it was the biggest one in a few years.