Effects on work life balance for different 5-day week scenarios across sample demographics (N = 570)
| Demographic | Working 5 days and taking a pay cut for not working the weekend | Working 5 days and extra hours every day to avoid a pay cut | Working 5 days and more productively every day to avoid a pay cut | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | |
| Male | 20.1 | 13.9 | 28.8 | 21.6 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 20.1 | 36.8 | 17.7 | 8.9 | 30.5 | 26.4 | 34.6 | 5.4 | 3 |
| Female | 15.4 | 8.7 | 43.3 | 21.2 | 11.5 | 9.6 | 14.4 | 41.3 | 19.2 | 15.4 | 35.6 | 25 | 33.7 | 1.9 | 3.8 |
| Single | 20.5 | 15.4 | 20.5 | 28.2 | 15.4 | 12.8 | 7.7 | 28.2 | 43.6 | 7.7 | 28.2 | 35.9 | 20.5 | 12.8 | 2.6 |
| Married or long-term de-facto partner | 15.3 | 11.2 | 31.6 | 20.4 | 21.4 | 13.3 | 24.5 | 37.8 | 14.3 | 10.2 | 30.6 | 28.6 | 33.7 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Job role Group 1 (off-site salaried workers in administrative and managerial roles) | 11.4 | 10.2 | 46.7 | 19.2 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 17.4 | 48.5 | 13.2 | 10.8 | 18.6 | 26.9 | 48.5 | 3 | 3 |
| Job role Group 2 (on-site salaried workers in supervisory roles) | 18 | 17.5 | 24.9 | 24 | 15.7 | 14.3 | 17.5 | 33.2 | 24.9 | 10.1 | 38.7 | 25.8 | 27.2 | 4.6 | 3.7 |
| Job role Group 3 (on-site waged workers in trade and operative roles) | 37 | 8.7 | 20.7 | 16.3 | 17.4 | 30.4 | 17.4 | 26.1 | 15.2 | 10.9 | 32.6 | 22.8 | 27.2 | 10.9 | 6.5 |
| (15–24) | 29.7 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 20.3 | 12.5 | 17.2 | 12.5 | 26.6 | 26.6 | 17.2 | 42.2 | 29.7 | 17.2 | 3.1 | 7.8 |
| (25–35) | 18.8 | 13.5 | 26 | 24 | 17.7 | 18.8 | 16.7 | 34.4 | 17.7 | 12.5 | 38.5 | 22.9 | 28.1 | 4.2 | 6.3 |
| (36–45) | 32.4 | 15.5 | 28.2 | 15.5 | 8.5 | 23.9 | 21.1 | 40.8 | 5.6 | 8.5 | 32.4 | 21.1 | 38 | 7 | 1.4 |
| (46–55) | 11.1 | 13.9 | 37.5 | 19.4 | 18.1 | 16.7 | 13.9 | 44.4 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 16.7 | 54.2 | 5.6 | 1.4 |
| (56–65) | 13.9 | 8.3 | 44.4 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 30.6 | 41.7 | 16.7 | 2.8 | 27.8 | 19.4 | 47.2 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| (Over 65) | 10 | 0 | 45 | 35 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 60 | 10 | 5 |
| Fixed salary (no paid overtime) | 19.6 | 14 | 32.7 | 18.7 | 15 | 12.1 | 23.4 | 39.3 | 17.8 | 7.5 | 31.8 | 28 | 35.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 |
| Fixed salary (paid overtime) | 20 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 0 | 50 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Hourly wage (paid overtime) | 39.4 | 12.1 | 21.2 | 12.1 | 15.2 | 39.4 | 9.1 | 24.2 | 18.2 | 9.1 | 45.5 | 21.2 | 21.2 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| Principal contractor | 14 | 10.8 | 34.4 | 31.2 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 21.5 | 39.8 | 21.5 | 6.5 | 35.5 | 29 | 33.3 | 2.2 | 0 |
| Sub-contractor | 26.9 | 11.5 | 23.1 | 26.9 | 11.5 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 7.7 | 19.2 | 38.5 | 19.2 | 19.2 | 3.8 |
| Consultant | 16.7 | 8.3 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 8.3 | 33.3 | 41.7 | 0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 25 | 41.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Micro business | 6.9 | 3.4 | 44.8 | 37.9 | 6.9 | 13.8 | 20.7 | 48.3 | 6.9 | 10.3 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 62.1 | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| Small business | 31 | 24.1 | 27.6 | 3.4 | 13.8 | 10.3 | 27.6 | 41.4 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 20.7 | 31 | 44.8 | 0 | 3.4 |
| Medium business | 19.4 | 12.9 | 45.2 | 16.1 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 19.4 | 45.2 | 19.4 | 9.7 | 22.6 | 32.3 | 35.5 | 9.7 | 0 |
| Large business | 24.6 | 15.4 | 20 | 23.1 | 16.9 | 21.5 | 15.4 | 35.4 | 18.5 | 9.2 | 43.1 | 23.1 | 27.7 | 1.5 | 4.6 |
| Commercial buildings | 27.5 | 5.8 | 30.4 | 20.3 | 15.9 | 24.6 | 14.5 | 42 | 7.2 | 11.6 | 37.7 | 26.1 | 27.5 | 2.9 | 5.8 |
| Residential buildings (apartments) | 17.4 | 8.7 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 26.1 | 21.7 | 13 | 39.1 | 8.7 | 17.4 | 39.1 | 21.7 | 34.8 | 4.3 | 0 |
| House building | 7.7 | 23.1 | 42.3 | 19.2 | 7.7 | 3.8 | 11.5 | 57.7 | 19.2 | 7.7 | 11.5 | 26.9 | 50 | 11.5 | 0 |
| Civil and infrastructure | 36.8 | 0 | 21.1 | 36.8 | 5.3 | 26.3 | 10.5 | 21.1 | 31.6 | 10.5 | 47.4 | 21.1 | 31.6 | 0 | 0 |
| City areas | 23.5 | 18.6 | 27.5 | 18.6 | 11.8 | 16.7 | 19.6 | 34.3 | 12.7 | 16.7 | 32.4 | 22.5 | 36.3 | 3.9 | 4.9 |
| Regional areas | 12.5 | 12.5 | 42.5 | 17.5 | 15 | 2.5 | 17.5 | 45 | 27.5 | 7.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 47.5 | 5 | 2.5 |
| Demographic | Working 5 days and taking a pay cut for not working the weekend | Working 5 days and extra hours every day to avoid a pay cut | Working 5 days and more productively every day to avoid a pay cut | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | Significantly improve | Slightly improve | Not affected | Slightly worsen | Significantly worsen | |
| Male | 20.1 | 13.9 | 28.8 | 21.6 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 20.1 | 36.8 | 17.7 | 8.9 | 30.5 | 26.4 | 34.6 | 5.4 | 3 |
| Female | 15.4 | 8.7 | 43.3 | 21.2 | 11.5 | 9.6 | 14.4 | 41.3 | 19.2 | 15.4 | 35.6 | 25 | 33.7 | 1.9 | 3.8 |
| Single | 20.5 | 15.4 | 20.5 | 28.2 | 15.4 | 12.8 | 7.7 | 28.2 | 43.6 | 7.7 | 28.2 | 35.9 | 20.5 | 12.8 | 2.6 |
| Married or long-term de-facto partner | 15.3 | 11.2 | 31.6 | 20.4 | 21.4 | 13.3 | 24.5 | 37.8 | 14.3 | 10.2 | 30.6 | 28.6 | 33.7 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Job role Group 1 (off-site salaried workers in administrative and managerial roles) | 11.4 | 10.2 | 46.7 | 19.2 | 12.6 | 10.2 | 17.4 | 48.5 | 13.2 | 10.8 | 18.6 | 26.9 | 48.5 | 3 | 3 |
| Job role Group 2 (on-site salaried workers in supervisory roles) | 18 | 17.5 | 24.9 | 24 | 15.7 | 14.3 | 17.5 | 33.2 | 24.9 | 10.1 | 38.7 | 25.8 | 27.2 | 4.6 | 3.7 |
| Job role Group 3 (on-site waged workers in trade and operative roles) | 37 | 8.7 | 20.7 | 16.3 | 17.4 | 30.4 | 17.4 | 26.1 | 15.2 | 10.9 | 32.6 | 22.8 | 27.2 | 10.9 | 6.5 |
| (15–24) | 29.7 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 20.3 | 12.5 | 17.2 | 12.5 | 26.6 | 26.6 | 17.2 | 42.2 | 29.7 | 17.2 | 3.1 | 7.8 |
| (25–35) | 18.8 | 13.5 | 26 | 24 | 17.7 | 18.8 | 16.7 | 34.4 | 17.7 | 12.5 | 38.5 | 22.9 | 28.1 | 4.2 | 6.3 |
| (36–45) | 32.4 | 15.5 | 28.2 | 15.5 | 8.5 | 23.9 | 21.1 | 40.8 | 5.6 | 8.5 | 32.4 | 21.1 | 38 | 7 | 1.4 |
| (46–55) | 11.1 | 13.9 | 37.5 | 19.4 | 18.1 | 16.7 | 13.9 | 44.4 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 16.7 | 54.2 | 5.6 | 1.4 |
| (56–65) | 13.9 | 8.3 | 44.4 | 16.7 | 16.7 | 8.3 | 30.6 | 41.7 | 16.7 | 2.8 | 27.8 | 19.4 | 47.2 | 2.8 | 2.8 |
| (Over 65) | 10 | 0 | 45 | 35 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 65 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 5 | 60 | 10 | 5 |
| Fixed salary (no paid overtime) | 19.6 | 14 | 32.7 | 18.7 | 15 | 12.1 | 23.4 | 39.3 | 17.8 | 7.5 | 31.8 | 28 | 35.5 | 1.9 | 2.8 |
| Fixed salary (paid overtime) | 20 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 30 | 0 | 50 | 30 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| Hourly wage (paid overtime) | 39.4 | 12.1 | 21.2 | 12.1 | 15.2 | 39.4 | 9.1 | 24.2 | 18.2 | 9.1 | 45.5 | 21.2 | 21.2 | 6.1 | 6.1 |
| Principal contractor | 14 | 10.8 | 34.4 | 31.2 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 21.5 | 39.8 | 21.5 | 6.5 | 35.5 | 29 | 33.3 | 2.2 | 0 |
| Sub-contractor | 26.9 | 11.5 | 23.1 | 26.9 | 11.5 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 23.1 | 7.7 | 19.2 | 38.5 | 19.2 | 19.2 | 3.8 |
| Consultant | 16.7 | 8.3 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 8.3 | 33.3 | 41.7 | 0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 25 | 41.7 | 0 | 0 |
| Micro business | 6.9 | 3.4 | 44.8 | 37.9 | 6.9 | 13.8 | 20.7 | 48.3 | 6.9 | 10.3 | 13.8 | 13.8 | 62.1 | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| Small business | 31 | 24.1 | 27.6 | 3.4 | 13.8 | 10.3 | 27.6 | 41.4 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 20.7 | 31 | 44.8 | 0 | 3.4 |
| Medium business | 19.4 | 12.9 | 45.2 | 16.1 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 19.4 | 45.2 | 19.4 | 9.7 | 22.6 | 32.3 | 35.5 | 9.7 | 0 |
| Large business | 24.6 | 15.4 | 20 | 23.1 | 16.9 | 21.5 | 15.4 | 35.4 | 18.5 | 9.2 | 43.1 | 23.1 | 27.7 | 1.5 | 4.6 |
| Commercial buildings | 27.5 | 5.8 | 30.4 | 20.3 | 15.9 | 24.6 | 14.5 | 42 | 7.2 | 11.6 | 37.7 | 26.1 | 27.5 | 2.9 | 5.8 |
| Residential buildings (apartments) | 17.4 | 8.7 | 43.5 | 4.3 | 26.1 | 21.7 | 13 | 39.1 | 8.7 | 17.4 | 39.1 | 21.7 | 34.8 | 4.3 | 0 |
| House building | 7.7 | 23.1 | 42.3 | 19.2 | 7.7 | 3.8 | 11.5 | 57.7 | 19.2 | 7.7 | 11.5 | 26.9 | 50 | 11.5 | 0 |
| Civil and infrastructure | 36.8 | 0 | 21.1 | 36.8 | 5.3 | 26.3 | 10.5 | 21.1 | 31.6 | 10.5 | 47.4 | 21.1 | 31.6 | 0 | 0 |
| City areas | 23.5 | 18.6 | 27.5 | 18.6 | 11.8 | 16.7 | 19.6 | 34.3 | 12.7 | 16.7 | 32.4 | 22.5 | 36.3 | 3.9 | 4.9 |
| Regional areas | 12.5 | 12.5 | 42.5 | 17.5 | 15 | 2.5 | 17.5 | 45 | 27.5 | 7.5 | 22.5 | 22.5 | 47.5 | 5 | 2.5 |
Sharing content requires targeting cookies to be enabled. Please update your cookie preferences to use this feature.