The saying “there is no such thing as a free lunch” is a truism that has been echoed throughout generations in our society. It begs the question, who and when will someone have to pay? Similarly, a four-day workweek without any reduction in income may seem enticing, but the truth is that someone will have to pay a steep price for it. As a society, we have learned that wages must be linked to productivity in order to be sustainable. High wages without productivity increases can lead to inflationary pressures. The Greens-chaired Senate Committee report recommending a four-day workweek at full pay cannot be implemented without dire consequences for employers, the economy, and ultimately, the workers themselves.
Australia has witnessed the detrimental effects of wage gouging pursued by union officials, which has led to the collapse of the manufacturing sector and the forced pursuit of automation. While the idea of a shorter workweek may sound appealing, it is not a feasible option. Most people view work as a necessary task or, at best, a means to pay for daily expenses or support their households.
Implementing a mandated rostered day off increases costs and subsequently impacts sectors that adopt it, resulting in building and construction price hikes that are passed on to homeowners and tenants alike. It is crucial to genuinely consider the consequences of any changes and measure their long-term benefits before promoting them.
Finally, in the wake of COVID restrictions, it is essential to allow economies and businesses to recover without any additional hits. While it is tempting to pursue the work/life balance narrative, Australia must be wary of short-term feel-good populist moves that could negatively impact future generations.