Decent work and economic growth (8)

Who decided work should take up five days of our week? It’s a question that’s been asked by the workforce for close to a century – but it hasn’t always been the case. Throughout history, the workweek has always evolved alongside society; so why has it been so stagnant, and is it finally time for a change?

A Case Study of the Unilever New Zealand Four-Day Work Week.

Before Apple became synonymous with innovation, Amazon reshaped retail, and Google became a verb, they were all start-ups. But it wasn’t just their products that transformed these companies into household names… they invested in something 50% of new start-ups overlook: systematic marketing. 

Public school teachers provide one of the most important services to our society. They are also largely overworked under the pressure of administrative responsibility. In the face of this, how can teachers be better supported to provide continuous, quality education to our children?

This research explores the experience of public-school teachers in Australia; presenting findings to help state and federal government avoid the difficulties presented by past and present structures of governance.

The cleaning industry has long held a reputation for exploitation of its workers – providing pay and conditions below legal entitlements. This research explores the improvement of working standards in the cleaning industry; working with industry to implement a pricing tool for better transparency in contracting. 

What do the increasing temperatures caused by climate change mean for businesses? This research explores the economic cost of heat stress and its impact on labour capacity – aiming to contribute to the design of the best working restriction schedules under heat stress.

Improving the relationship between businesses and society, this research explores social movements; providing tools for businesses to incorporate the voices and values of society in their governance frameworks. 

Imagine if your chances of unemployment increased with your level of education. Those years of studying and the financial investment resulting in months to years of employment uncertainty and instability. In low-income countries, this is the reality faced by most high-school and university graduates – but what is the root cause and impact of this underemployment? 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has received over two million complaints involving consumer protection violations. With this complaint database publicly available for customers to see; does it have any influence on consumers banking decisions? 

In improving real-life outcomes, such as human capital accumulation and better financial decision making, it is important to understand the impact of time preferences (e.g. patience) on an individual’s decision making. This research aims to support new policy suggestions by developing an understanding of how outside factors influence the stability of time preferences.