SA workplaces can now sign-up for ‘four-day week’ trial – here’s how

[RazedInBlack]

What if you only had to do a four-day week at work – but then got paid for doing a full five? These are the promising proposals that are taking the world by storm, and the early success of a ‘shorter working week’ bodes well for a project now launching in South Africa.

The ‘4DayWeek’ programme is now looking for businesses based in SA to sign-up to this rather enjoyable experiment. Pilot projects have already yielded some superb results overseas, and the latest feedback from participating companies truly makes for wonderful reading.

• Pilot projects have successfully been trialed in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, the USA, and the UK.
• Around 86% of those surveyed said they would keep the four-day week policy going after the trial ends.
• Up to 95% of firms say productivity had stayed the same or improved during the shorter week.
• Participants in the trials still receive their EXACT SAME PAY as they would for five days’ work.
• South Africa is now the latest country to be approached for the ‘100% pay, 80% work’ principle.

WORK LESS, EARN THE SAME? APPARENTLY, IT PAYS DIVIDENDS…​

According to the latest research, most workers involved in these pilots show either the same OR increased productivity. Having one more day of relaxation and leisure time, while retaining a full pay packet, has had a largely positive impact on those who have taken part.

What’s more, there is a genuine economic case for reducing office hours to a four-day week schedule…


“South African companies have an opportunity to join a co-ordinated, six-month trial of the Four-Day Week, with no loss in pay. Researchers will work with participants to establish relevant productivity and worker wellbeing metrics and to define what individual success looks like.”

“Why should we be trying this in South Africa, you ask? Beyond improvements in productivity, wellness and gender equality, a Four-Day Week could also help address unemployment and youth upliftment in the longer term.” | 4DayWeek

SA workplaces can now sign-up for 'four-day week' trial - here's how

Imagine getting EVERY Friday off! This new pilot scheme in SA is looking to test-out a 'four-day week' in the workplace - details here...

www.thesouthafrican.com

 

[TheChamp]

Most people are already working a 7 day week in 5 days so this will go a long way in making things fair.

 

[mojoman]

Lol....soon we will be on a 1 or 2 day working week anyway thanks to EksDom...

 

[B-1]

Most people are already working a 7 day week in 5 days so this will go a long way in making things fair.

Yip, no one at our company works the hours in a day listed in their contracts or normal weeks. I'd love to promote this but I'm not sure it will make any difference.

 

[Bismuth]

No,

Yip, no one at our company works the hours in a day listed in their contracts or normal weeks. I'd love to promoted this but I'm not sure it will make any difference.

Indeed, same by us, doesn't matter how many days they decide the work week should be.

I am not a fan of this, projects will take that much longer to complete, so it's a no from me. I doubt our clients will go for this either, for the same reason... but let's see.

 

[skimread]

South African labour law says if you earn above the earnings threshold which is below minimum wage in most those countries that you have to work overtime including Saturdays and Sundays. We are in fact on a 7 day workweek.

 

[now05ster]

I don't see this working at our branch. The majority of our company's back office roles have production targets.

Our headcount is calculated based on the expectation that we will complete a certain number of "tickets" per day. There is no way to complete that same amount of work over a four day period compared to a normal work week. It's basic 30-percenter maths.

What am I missing? It might work in other areas of work. (Maybe).

 

[Bismuth]

I don't see this working at our branch. The majority of our company's back office roles have production targets.

Our headcount is calculated based on the expectation that we will complete a certain number of "tickets" per day. There is no way to complete that same amount of work over a four day period compared to a normal work week. It's basic 30-percenter maths.

What am I missing? It might work in other areas of work. (Maybe).

Yeah, pretty similar for us as well, and those that work with tickets. In my case, I would lose a day of "production", so would have to extend timelines, as we run multiple projects simultaneously, so would effectively lose a day when planning the timelines on a 4-day work week.

I don't see this working for us, as clients already get niggly about timelines with 5 days available...

 

[VooDooC]

Big problem is global companies, so if our branch in the UK decides they're doing only 4 days and SA branch sticks to 5 days we're going to have to do more on our side to make up for the guys in the UK taking an extra day off.

We already see this with all the extra public holidays the UK had this year compared to SA.

 

[ForceFate]

Banks and tech companies are going to be the first to trial this.

 

[surface]

Banks and tech companies are going to be the first to trial this.

I don't see this happening in absa & standard bank tbh but hey, it has been a while and who knows - things have changed.

 

[theratman]

South African labour law says if you earn above the earnings threshold which is below minimum wage in most those countries that you have to work overtime including Saturdays and Sundays. We are in fact on a 7 day workweek.

Care to share that law? I've not heard that before.

I'm aware of this one ;

Employees who earn in excess of the present threshold amount are not subject to the provisions of section 10 (overtime) of The Basic Conditions of Employment Act. This means that such employees cannot demand to be paid for overtime worked, nor can they demand to be granted paid time off. However contrary to popular belief, the employer also cannot force such employees to work overtime and cannot demand that they work overtime without compensation, unless the employee agreed to this.

Hours of Work and Overtime | Labour Guide

Labour Guide South Africa offers a wealth of Labour Law information and documentation to attorneys, companies and individuals. Labour Guide your guide to labour law in South Africa

www.labourguide.co.za

 

[skimread]

Care to share that law? I've not heard that before.

I'm aware of this one ;

Employees who earn in excess of the present threshold amount are not subject to the provisions of section 10 (overtime) of The Basic Conditions of Employment Act. This means that such employees cannot demand to be paid for overtime worked, nor can they demand to be granted paid time off. However contrary to popular belief, the employer also cannot force such employees to work overtime and cannot demand that they work overtime without compensation, unless the employee agreed to this.

Hours of Work and Overtime | Labour Guide

Labour Guide South Africa offers a wealth of Labour Law information and documentation to attorneys, companies and individuals. Labour Guide your guide to labour law in South Africa

www.labourguide.co.za

Same link: Employees who earn above the determined threshold amount must negotiate the normal amount of working hours per day or per week with the employer. The employee may therefore be expected to work more than 45 hours per week.

How many employees negotiate? My contract is 45 hours and I am required to work more as my performance plan has numerous other duties outside the normal hours. No one cares complains as the boss controls your career progression and you are dependant on them for good review and referral.

 

[theratman]

Same link: Employees who earn above the determined threshold amount must negotiate the normal amount of working hours per day or per week with the employer. The employee may therefore be expected to work more than 45 hours per week.

How many employees negotiate? My contract is 45 hours and I am required to work more as my performance plan has numerous other duties outside the normal hours. No one cares complains as the boss controls your career progression and you are dependant on them for good review and referral.

Negotiate being the keyword here, you aren't forced by law, the company pressures you into it. Company culture is crucial here, and falls in with the point I think you're trying to make.

 

[skimread]

Negotiate being the keyword here, you aren't forced by law, the company pressures you into it. Company culture is crucial here, and falls in with the point I think you're trying to make.

So when an employer gets multiple candidates why do they ask the question how do you view overtime? The person who answers they won't work more than 45 will not get the job. Same when candidates are up for promotion.

 

[surface]

So when an employer gets multiple candidates why do they ask the question how do you view overtime? The person who answers they won't work more than 45 will not get the job. Same when candidates are up for promotion.

I swear I have been spoilt by big companies in SA. I am going to find it extremely difficult to work beyond stipulated 40 hours a week. End clients calculate as per 7.5 hours a day and there is lot of leeway in projects.

 

[theratman]

So when an employer gets multiple candidates why do they ask the question how do you view overtime? The person who answers they won't work more than 45 will not get the job. Same when candidates are up for promotion.

Because the employer is looking to take advantage, and the employee accepts it, nothing to do with it being law.

Here's some references

Employers cannot force their employees to work overtime. Similarly, employees who earn over the overtime threshold rate are not subject to overtime pay rules and cannot demand to be paid at overtime rates.

South Africa Overtime

Everything you need to know about South Africa overtime laws.

www.activpayroll.com

What about overtime? Will I be paid?

All overtime is voluntary and may only be worked by agreement between employer and employee.

Hours and Overtime

Find out all about the labour laws concerning Overtime Working Hours in South Africa including overtime compensation, overtime pay policy, salary overtime law, working extra hours

mywage.co.za

“While the law stipulates that workers aren’t allowed to work more than 10 hours overtime a week, they may be compelled to take on more work if they need the money. On one hand, employees benefit from the increased earning ability, but they need to make sure that they aren’t getting stuck in an abusive situation,” said Leggat.

She said that no employee can be forced to work unreasonable hours.

“Most employment contracts imply that occasional overtime is expected as part of the role, but an employer can’t threaten you to work unreasonable hours. Reach out to the Department of Labour if you are working unfair hours or you are not being compensated for your extra work,” Leggat said.

What employees need to know about overtime pay in South Africa

Working time including overtime is regulated by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, but many workers are not familiar with the technicalities of these laws and many employers do not adhere to the rules, says Arlene Leggat, President of the South African Payroll Association.

businesstech.co.za

 

[StrongestAvenger]

What happens if a potential customer calls you for a breakdown repair on your off day. Your competitor with 5-day employees scored a new customer.

Yes you could employee more people... to cover the fully paid 4-day employees on their off days.... How is this better again?

 

[Syphonx]

What happens if a potential customer calls you for a breakdown repair on your off day. Your competitor with 5-day employees scored a new customer.

Yes you could employee more people... to cover the fully paid 4-day employees on their off days.... How is this better again?

Stagger the off days so that there is always someone available on week days, or the person that helps takes a different day off?

 

[Lupus]

What happens if a potential customer calls you for a breakdown repair on your off day. Your competitor with 5-day employees scored a new customer.

Yes you could employee more people... to cover the fully paid 4-day employees on their off days.... How is this better again?

Have you heard of shifts or standby