Unilever tests the four-day workweek in …

The New Zealand subsidiary of food and cosmetics giant Unilever announced this Tuesday that will live the four day work week, without a reduction in wages for employees, in accordance with a proposal from the New Zealand government to revive the economy.

The group of companies indicated that Its 81 employees will be able to participate in this experiment, which will begin in December and will last for one year. Depending on the results in New Zealand, Unilever could introduce the four-day week in other countries.

“Our goal is to measure performance against production, not time. We believe the old way of working is outdated and no longer appropriate, ”said Nick Bangs, CEO of Unilever New Zealand.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presented a proposal in May to move to a four-day week in an effort to help revive an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic. In this sense, he encouraged creative ideas that promote flexibility in companies.

As, Bangs highlighted the increased interest in a shorter work week as the pandemic has changed the work culture in the office. “This is an exciting period for our team, a way to validate the catalytic role that covid-19 has played in the transformation of practices in the world of work”, he underlined.

The company expects its employees to gain in productivity by allowing them greater flexibility. The results of this experiment will be analyzed by the University of Technology in Sydney.

“We look forward to sharing the lessons of this experience with other New Zealand companies, hoping to inspire others to think about the way they work,” Bangs concluded.