APSC rejects four-day work week
Share
The Australian Public Service (APS) has become the centre of attention as public sector agencies seek to introduce a four-day working week for their employees. However, the bid for this change has been rejected by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC).
In addition, the APS has taken a surprising move by seeking to incorporate “integrity and transparency” directly into APS Enterprise Agreements, likely due to the shockwaves caused by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
Rejection of the four-day work proposal
Carers and productivity-focused employees in the APS had been hopeful for a shift towards a four-day working week with the same hours currently worked. This arrangement would allow employees to work longer daily, maintaining a full-time wage and improving work-life balance. However, the APSC’s chief negotiator, Peter Riordan, has dealt a big blow to these aspirations, outright rejecting the proposal without even considering a trial period.
The rejection has raised concerns among carers seeking more flexible work arrangements that would not require them to be downgraded to part-time positions and face constant renegotiations. A four-day week was a potential tool to attract and retain productivity-focused talent in the APS. Despite the disappointment, Riordan’s position is that the current award conditions already offer sufficient flexibility for employees to achieve a work-life balance.
Existing options include part-time or compressed hours working arrangements, flextime, and other proposed new flexible work arrangements that can be agreed upon during bargaining.
Integrity and Transparency in APS Enterprise Agreements
The aftermath of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme has led the government to take a surprising turn by seeking to directly incorporate “integrity and transparency” into APS Enterprise Agreements. This move reflects the impact of the commission’s findings on the APS and indicates a shift in attitudes towards prioritising ethical conduct and transparent practices.
The Commonwealth’s new position aims to establish an APS-wide Ethics Advisory Service or a similar service that employees can access. Moreover, it proposes mandatory agency-mandated training about integrity for all APS employees.
The position outlined in the new proposal emphasises procedural fairness as essential in building and maintaining trust with APS employees. It calls for fair and impartial processes when employees are affected by APS-wide or agency decisions. Additionally, employees are encouraged to provide frank, honest, timely advice based on the best available evidence, including scientific advice guided by the best available science and data.
As negotiations continue, finding common ground between employee representatives and the APSC will be crucial to maintaining a productive and contented APS workforce. While the rejection of some specific claims and proposals has been attributed to operational impacts and financial implications, the APS must balance meeting employees’ needs and ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the public service.
After four years in business school and working for multinational clients, Jomar believes he can improve the world through his writings via Public Spectrum, by informing the public on the latest news and updates happening around the government and society. Jomar has eight years experience as a writer and has a degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurial Marketing.
Today’s Pick
11th Annual Aus Goverment Data Summit
April 1, 2025
7th Annual NZ Government Data Summit
May 7, 2025
3rd Public Sector Comms Week
May 14, 2025
Subscribe
We send emails,
but we do not spam
Join our mailing list to be on the front lines of healthcare , get exclusive content, and promos.
AI appointment Australia Australian boost boosts business businesses covid-19 cyber cyber attack cyber security cybersecurity data data breach data management defence Digital Education employment enhance enhances Featured Leader fraud funding government grants Healthcare infrastructure Innovation Lockdown new zealand NSW NZ online Procurement public Public Sector queensland renewable energy scams Social Media Technology telecommunications victoria
Last Viewed