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Health & Wellbeing
‘Very lazy’: Four-day work week suggestion shut down at Sydney council meeting
A four-day work week proposal has sparked a very heated argument at a Sydney council meeting, with one member branding the suggestion “foolish”.
Ally Foster
October 2, 2025 – 12:22PM
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A Sydney councillor’s four-day work week proposal has been brutally shut down at a recent meeting, after the suggestion was branded “bad” and “lazy”.
Wollondilly Deputy Mayor, Matthew Deeth, submitted a motion in a council meeting last week calling for a report to be prepared exploring the four-day working week model and the feasibility, benefits and considerations associated with it.
Speaking in the meeting on September 23, Cr Deeth said the motion being put before council was not a vote about implementing a four-day working week at Wollondilly, noting it was instead about doing “what leaders do”.
“To ask an important question carefully, gather the best evidence and bring our community into a thoughtful, transparent conversation about productivity, service and people across any organisation,” he said.
“This notice of motion is simply requesting a report about commissioning a discussion paper, nothing more, nothing less.
“So that in 12 months we can consider the facts, risks, opportunities and the fit in the local context.”
Wollondilly Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Matthew Deeth, put forward a proposal for a four-day work week report. Picture: Wollondilly Council
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Cr Deeth claimed a discussion paper was a “low risk, high value” way for the council to decide whether any next step is even warranted.
He added that Wollondilly as a region is growing at a rate that will place “extra pressure” on organisations over the medium to long term.
“If there are models that can lift productivity, sustain service quality, and keep great people, we owe it to our residents and to the business community to examine them openly and rigorously,” he said.
“To those that say this looks too risky, I say the greater risk is refusing to look, a discussion paper is the greatest way to succeed.”
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Benn Banasik was one of the first councillors to respond to the proposal, and he didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts.
“I am sorry this is very lazy. It’s a lazy motion that is in front of us,” he said.
He pointed out that, of the 11 positions currently advertised within the council, six of them promote “generous and regular flexible working arrangements”.
Along with highlighting this, Cr Banasik also argued that this type of policy was more suited to the CEO, rather than being up for discussion among elected councillors. This argument was also echoed by other councillors.
Fellow Councillor Benn Banasik branded the motion ‘lazy’. Picture: Wollondilly Council
“Going through the rigmarole for you to get the funding for this to be passed as a motion for us to debate makes us look foolish. It really really does,” Cr Banasik said.
“I would really caution councillors about the motions that you bring to this table and the type of things that we’re discussing.
“This is bad, it’s bad. It’s poorly timed, it’s not thought out, it’s not considerate. I encourage you all to vote it down.”
The four-day week discussion paper was ultimately voted down, with three councillor’s voting in favour and six voting against.
The four-day week debate is one that has gained significant traction in recent years, both overseas and in Australia.
Wollondilly Shire is located in southwest Sydney. Picture: Wollondilly Council/Facebook
The four-day work week movement has been increasing in popularity. Picture: iStock
Most recently, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) put forward a four-day week proposal at the Economic Reform Roundtable in August, calling for shorter working weeks with no loss of pay.
The union suggested Australia move to the shorter working week model where appropriate, while also sector-specific alternatives where a full reduction isn’t possible.
These alternatives could include more rostered days off, increased annual leave or redesigned rosters that improve predictability, job security and work-life balance.
Pay and conditions, such as penalty rates, overtime, and minimum staffing levels, would be protected to ensure workers would not lose income as a result.
However, the idea was knocked back by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, saying the government had “no plans” to adopt a four-day week.
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‘Stupidest idea I’ve heard’: 4-day week blasted
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One of the common ways that companies implement a four-day week is by using the 100:80:100 model, in which staff keep 100 per cent of their pay but have their work hours reduced to 80 per cent.
However, they must maintain 100 per cent of their productivity in order for the change to work.
Other options include allowing staff to work a shorter week but for less pay, or offering standard 40 hour weeks condensed over four days.
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