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From: TT
Published:
Updated:
Photo: Richard Drew / AP / TT
Unilever allows its employees one day off a week in New Zealand. Stock Photography.
Multinational grocery manufacturer Unilever is testing a four-day week for its employees in New Zealand. The company hopes to learn lessons that the entire workforce can benefit from.
All 81 employees from the New Zealand offices will be able to participate in the test, which begins next week and will last one year. Employees are paid for five days, but only work four.
– We do not want the group to have very long hours, but that will mean significant changes in the way they work, says country manager Nick Bangs.
After twelve months, the trial will be evaluated to see how the results can be implemented in the other 155,000 employees around the world. Unilever does not have manufacturing in New Zealand, but they all work in sales, distribution and marketing.
– It’s largely an experiment. We have not made any commitments beyond twelve months and beyond New Zealand. But we think there are some good lessons to be learned during this time, says Bangs.
A shortened workweek has been on New Zealand’s agenda for a while. The Perpetual Guardian company, which helps with wills and the like, was noticed after testing the system and seeing a huge increase in productivity.
Prime Minister Jacina Ardern has encouraged companies to review the possibilities for a shorter work week during the pandemic, saying that in addition to greater flexibility, it can also lead to increased domestic tourism.
– When the Prime Minister spoke about it in the context of what work can be like in the future, it was encouraging for us, says Nick Bangs.
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