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I'm Australian but have lived in Europe for a long time. When I begin to consider moving back, one of the things that puts me off is that 4 weeks is pretty much

I'm Australian but have lived in Europe for a long time. When I begin to consider moving back, one of the things that puts me off is that 4 weeks is pretty much universal in Australia, plus in Australia I think it's pretty standard to have a fixed number of days you're allowed to be sick. I'm too used to having 6 weeks holidays and essentially unlimited sick leave (as long as it's legitimately required). It's a more grown-up arrangement where businesses realise that regular time off (and as much time as you need if ill) increases happiness and therefore productivity. I still miss the food at home, though.

tansan 3y ago
> It's a more grown-up arrangement where businesses realise that regular time off (and as much time as you need if ill) increases happiness and therefore productivity. Is there a metric of some sort that I can share with other people that demonstrates 4 weeks PTO does work and has led to increased productivity in Australia? I personally believe in shorter work weeks, but my experience is anecdotal, so was wondering if there was a study or some kind of economic metric that reflects that statement for increased productivity in AU.
- e1g 3y ago
  As an Australian, the only metric that matters for me is >80% of all semi-competent developers, designers, and founders I knew (including myself) left AU because they hit a career ceiling normalized by that culture. Zero local innovation, and the relatively healthy economy is mostly due to exporting stuff to Asia (education, tourism, and resources).
  - dukeyukey 3y ago
    Australia innovates plenty, it's just the innovation mostly happens in fields Australia does well, like mining.
    - otteromkram 3y ago
      And, boomerang tossing.
- lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago
  I’m confused. It kinda sounds you are asking what metric needs to have a bias for it in a study. If you otherwise have information that you believe would demonstrate the point, just share that.
  - tansan 3y ago
    I'm asking for any material that supports this statement: "businesses realise that regular time off (and as much time as you need if ill) increases happiness and therefore productivity." Productivity can be measured and if that productivity was increased then those statistics should be more visible! I would love to have a 4-day work week.
    - deleted 3y ago
      [deleted]
agravier 3y ago
I work for an Australian company in Australia and they'll give me paid sick leave beyond the standard allowance if I need it. But I agree that it'd be better if that was a right.
medo-bear 3y ago
as far as worker rights go, i think australian workers have it better than in most countries. in places in eu like austria you even have "sicky police" that go to check up on you when you are sick. lol i dont think something like this would fly in 'straya. to be clear im not talking about full on compo and insurance companies hiring private investigators. im talking about calling your boss and telling him/her that you have high temperature still, weirdly enough, i think that overall work life balance and quality of life is much better in europe than in places like sydney. i think that this is actually because australia has turned into a nanny state in almost every other segment of life. europe in this regard treats its inhabitants as adults much moreso than australia > still miss the food at home in europe? im actually the opposite. i miss the great variety of great restaurants in sydney and melbourne
- dkdbejwi383 3y ago
  > in europe? im actually the opposite. i miss the great variety of great restaurants in sydney and melbourne Yeah that's what I mean - harder to get good east Asian and Middle Eastern in Europe - although there's more African food here (Europe) than straya.
  - medo-bear 3y ago
    yep i miss viet pho and leb chicken. thai food is a train wreck in europe. there are some really good chinese restaurants but they are far and few between. best one is in lisbon. however there are some really good places for good food and just general good vibes. if one likes these sort of things i recommend visiting belgrade
  - Nexxius 3y ago
    Just a side question but, is the term "straya" a regional shortening of Australia? I've always heard it from friends as "Oz" or "Aus".
    - medo-bear 3y ago
      its aussie bogan slang. if you are new to australia, rock up to work barefoot with a VB or a Tooheys in your hand and tell the next new guy "wellcome to straya mate"

tansan 3y ago

> It's a more grown-up arrangement where businesses realise that regular time off (and as much time as you need if ill) increases happiness and therefore productivity. Is there a metric of some sort that I can share with other people that demonstrates 4 weeks PTO does work and has led to increased productivity in Australia? I personally believe in shorter work weeks, but my experience is anecdotal, so was wondering if there was a study or some kind of economic metric that reflects that statement for increased productivity in AU.

e1g 3y ago
As an Australian, the only metric that matters for me is >80% of all semi-competent developers, designers, and founders I knew (including myself) left AU because they hit a career ceiling normalized by that culture. Zero local innovation, and the relatively healthy economy is mostly due to exporting stuff to Asia (education, tourism, and resources).
- dukeyukey 3y ago
  Australia innovates plenty, it's just the innovation mostly happens in fields Australia does well, like mining.
  - otteromkram 3y ago
    And, boomerang tossing.
lcnPylGDnU4H9OF 3y ago
I’m confused. It kinda sounds you are asking what metric needs to have a bias for it in a study. If you otherwise have information that you believe would demonstrate the point, just share that.
- tansan 3y ago
  I'm asking for any material that supports this statement: "businesses realise that regular time off (and as much time as you need if ill) increases happiness and therefore productivity." Productivity can be measured and if that productivity was increased then those statistics should be more visible! I would love to have a 4-day work week.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]

agravier 3y ago

I work for an Australian company in Australia and they'll give me paid sick leave beyond the standard allowance if I need it. But I agree that it'd be better if that was a right.

medo-bear 3y ago

as far as worker rights go, i think australian workers have it better than in most countries. in places in eu like austria you even have "sicky police" that go to check up on you when you are sick. lol i dont think something like this would fly in 'straya. to be clear im not talking about full on compo and insurance companies hiring private investigators. im talking about calling your boss and telling him/her that you have high temperature still, weirdly enough, i think that overall work life balance and quality of life is much better in europe than in places like sydney. i think that this is actually because australia has turned into a nanny state in almost every other segment of life. europe in this regard treats its inhabitants as adults much moreso than australia > still miss the food at home in europe? im actually the opposite. i miss the great variety of great restaurants in sydney and melbourne

dkdbejwi383 3y ago
> in europe? im actually the opposite. i miss the great variety of great restaurants in sydney and melbourne Yeah that's what I mean - harder to get good east Asian and Middle Eastern in Europe - although there's more African food here (Europe) than straya.
- medo-bear 3y ago
  yep i miss viet pho and leb chicken. thai food is a train wreck in europe. there are some really good chinese restaurants but they are far and few between. best one is in lisbon. however there are some really good places for good food and just general good vibes. if one likes these sort of things i recommend visiting belgrade
- Nexxius 3y ago
  Just a side question but, is the term "straya" a regional shortening of Australia? I've always heard it from friends as "Oz" or "Aus".
  - medo-bear 3y ago
    its aussie bogan slang. if you are new to australia, rock up to work barefoot with a VB or a Tooheys in your hand and tell the next new guy "wellcome to straya mate"