Home featured Expert Featured Let's Talk Expert Let’s Talk: The 38 hour work week Gali Blacher August 21, 2018 According to the Fair Work Ombudsman an employer must not request or require a full time employee to work more than 38 hours, unless the additional hours are reasonable. The idea of a 38 hour work week makes some entrepreneurs laugh- as all business owners will tell you- there’s no such thing. Dynamic Business asked experts if the 38-hour work week is preventing businesses from achieving better innovation and productivity outcomes? Rafael Moyano, CEO, Australia, The Adecco Group: It’s an exciting time for business, as new working structures and management strategies challenge the traditional 38 hour work week. While there have been some recent positive studies about the four-day week in the past few months, this model will remain impractical for most businesses for the foreseeable future. Most customers and clients still work over five days, and reducing hours could risk losing them to competitors. Flexible working measures on the other hand, which allow staff to have more control over their working week, are a great alternative. Providing staff with more leeway on start and end times, while allowing them to work from home, can help boost team morale, engagement and productivity without impacting the bottom line. That is not to say the four-day week should be rejected completely, with some businesses experiencing a more engaged, committed and energised work force. However, there are many strategies that can achieve a similar