Plans for four-day work week slammed by industry expert

A proposal to make the working week four days for public servants in Victoria has been called "an absolute shocker" by one industry expert.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said public servants would work reduced hours with the expectation they maintain the same workload as before, but the idea has been met with backlash.

Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox told Today with interest rates, mortgage rates and inflation continuing to climb, having people work less would have a serious impact on the already struggling economy.

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"If people work less, they'll get paid less," Willox said.

"It's just an absolute head- scratcher, they are called public servants for a reason, they're meant to serve the public and if they're only working four days a week there'll be a lot less public service going on.

He said people are already able to work part-time if they don't want to do five days and flexible work arrangements have successfully been implemented since the pandemic.

"It's an absolute shocker - people aren't meant to work four days and get paid for five," he said.

"There's an old Roman term called pro rata, which means you get paid in proportion. But with interest rates, fuel prices on the rise, inflation on the rise and mortgages on the rise people are proposing that they work less."

Watch the full segment with Innes Willox above

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