Residents in the Sunshine State have launched a new campaign for a four-day work week following more than 200 companies in the UK agreeing to the groundbreaking change.

A petition to the Queensland Government calling for an official three-day weekend has gained more than 1,300 signatures in a matter of days.

In January, a raft of British companies employing a total of more than 5,000 people decided to make the shift in order to improve work-life balance and – according to its proponents – increase productivity.

The various sectors leading the way in the UK include the marketing, advertising, charity, technology, PR, and business consulting industries, according the 4 Day Week Foundation. 

4 Day Week Foundation campaign director Joe Ryle said the shift to four-day work weeks gave workers more free time and ‘the freedom to live happier, more fulfilling lives’.

‘Four-day week with no loss of pay can be a win-win for both workers and employers. The 9-5, five-day working week was invented 100 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. We are long overdue for an update,’ Mr Ryle said.

The Australian petition argues lifestyles and responsibilities for Queensland residents has changed over time, as parents and couples work for longer periods, often from home.

Combine that with cost-of-living crunches, these residents believe changes to the full-time model of work are imperative to striking a greater balance.

One less day per week on the tools, or the joy of waking up on a Friday knowing that commute back to work isn’t for three days could be more than a pipe dream thanks to a new petition

The Australian petition said that even crime would be reduced by a four-day work week. 

‘The traditional period of full-time employment is outdated and inhibits a work life balance, placing greater demands on residents and families in areas of mental health, familial relationships and physical health,’ the petition reads.

‘Adolescent crime would be significantly reduced with greater time for parents to raise children and establish values, modelling and oversight to their children that full-time work presently inhibits.’

‘Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to introduce legislation that full-time work is four days per week for Queensland residents as a matter of urgency.’

The shift to fewer work days each week has already been implemented in some organisations in Australia.

Media agency Claxon will implement the initiative after a successful trial.

Professor John Quiggin, a VC Senior Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland, has been advocating towards a four-day working week for some time.

Just last month more then 200 companies in the UK signed up to the 'groundbreaking' shift

Just last month more then 200 companies in the UK signed up to the ‘groundbreaking’ shift

‘The benefit of technological progress ought to be that we have better lives, better work life balance … and we simply haven’t seen that over the past 40 years or so,’ he told AAP.

‘It makes very good sense that we should collectively reduce our standard working hours and have more time for family.’

While the notion of implementing four-day weeks from a state level is very unlikely, the push towards greater work-life balances has paved the way for better enterprise bargaining claims, Prof Quiggin said. 

‘People want better work-life balance  – that’s true in Queensland, Australia, globally … eventually it has to come.’

The Queensland Greens are also in support of the proposal, pointing to the benefits for workers, the economy and Queenslanders’ well-being.

State MP Michael Berkman said it could begin in the Sunshine State as a trial in the public service. 

‘Queenslanders well and truly deserve another day off to enjoy with their family and friends,’ he said.

‘Trials here and abroad have shown that workers report lower stress, better sleep, a reduction in sick days, and workers better able to balance work and social and family life.’

‘The state government could lead this transformation with a four-day work week trial in the public service.’

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