All Day Events Sydney

Why Aren't We Working Less? The Four-Day Work Week Debate

Why do we still work so much? In 1930, celebrated economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that rising productivity would reduce the working week to just fifteen hours by now, leaving society with a novel challenge: what to do with all that free time! He was remarkably close on the productivity prediction—yet the standard working week has barely changed. So where did the promised leisure go? Did consumerism convince us to trade leisure for luxury brands and better gadgets? Did work itself become too central to who we are — our identity, our worth, our status in the world — to simply give some of it up? Or did most of the gains from productivity growth flow upward, leaving the rest of us running just to stand still? We'll explore the history of the five-day week, the evidence coming from today's four-day week trials, and whether working less could create a happier, healthier society—or simply new problems. Join us as we unpack this fascinating debate about the future of work. **Primary Reading:** ***[Why Do We Still Work So Much? The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day Week](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCMLOhSERNXQrLX7RbhwoOjASCYnbF-FMR0fSJ4mRubaFA?e=s1NMGH)*** (a document prepared for this meetup) **Report: *[Four-Day Work Week (2026)](https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/Issues_and_Insights/2026/FourDayWorkWeek)***[ ](https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/Research/Issues_and_Insights/2026/FourDayWorkWeek) by Parliamentary Library of Australia **(Optional) Book: *The Case for a Four-Day Week* (2021) by Anna Coote, Aidan Harper and Alfie Stirling** There wasn't one ideal book (affordable and easily available in paperback) for this month's topic, so the primary reading is a document prepared specially for this meetup, It traces the history of the working week from its origins through to today's four-day trials and policy proposals, weighing the strongest arguments on both sides. It's designed to give everyone a shared, evidence-based foundation for the discussion. However, if you are fine with reading eBooks or can find it with your library, the main book I would suggest is *The Case for a Four Day Week* by Anna Coote, Aidan Harper and Alfie Stirling, which is a widely cited book-length treatment of the topic and is readily available as an eBook, though you will probably need to order it in if you'd prefer a paperback. And if you have no luck with that book, there are also two other similar books mentioned below which you may also want to try (O'Connor and Lindzon, 2026; Schor, 2025) We also recommend you look at a short, up-to-date report from the Parliamentary Library of Australia, which offers a concise local policy snapshot to complement the broader discussion in the main reading. As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before attending. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also included links below to further resources on the topic. So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 2 November, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail. We look forward to seeing you there! P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to others if there is a waitlist. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- These are just optional links to consider. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section. **Videos** * Two short explainer videos about why we still work so much: [The five-day workweek was made up. What if we changed it?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn5-FIkFq0I) [Why do we still need to work?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KXZP-Deel4) * Two videos on the four-day work week: [TED The Case for a 4-Day Work Week by Juliet Schor](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyVfUaXyyqo) [ABC Could a 4-day working week be coming to Australia?](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-29/could-a-4-day-working-week-be-coming-to-australia/105588208) * SBS Insight - Rat Race - Episode 11 2026. As post-COVID attitudes towards work-life balance continue to change, some of us are questioning our role in the rat race and opting out. For others, the choice is hampered by housing and cost-of-living pressures. This Insight explores how Australians are balancing a desire to clock-off - and doing something like a 4-day week - with their need to pay the bills. **Written** * Primary Reading: ***[Why Do We Still Work So Much? The Pros and Cons of a Four-Day Week](https://1drv.ms/b/c/adb4f7488b2eef0a/IQCMLOhSERNXQrLX7RbhwoOjASCYnbF-FMR0fSJ4mRubaFA?e=s1NMGH)*** (a document prepared for this meetup) * A Britannica overview of issues relating to a four-day work week: [The Four-Day Work Week](https://www.britannica.com/procon/four-day-workweek-debate) * Studies and trends in Australia's experience with four day work week; [Emerging Four Day Work Week Trends in Australia](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372461877_Emerging_Four_Day_Work_Week_Trends_in_Australia) * An annotated reading of John Maynard Keynes' 1930 lecture about what 2030 might look like: [Keynes (1930) Economic possibilities for our grandchildren ](https://www.elysian.press/p/economic-possibilities-for-our-grandchildren) * Other books which members may want to look at: *\- Do More in Four: Why It's Time for a Shorter Workweek* (2026) by Joe O'Connor and Jared Lindzon — written by the pioneer behind Ireland's national four-day week pilot, this is one of the most current, practically-minded account of how organisations are actually redesigning work around a shorter week, including in the age of AI. *\- Four Days a Week: The Life\-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress\, Improving Well\-Being\, and Working Smarter* (2025) by Juliet Schor — drawing on the largest study yet conducted on reduced-hours trials (245 organisations, 8,700 workers), this is Schor's own full account of the evidence behind the case for a four-day week. *\- Bullshit Jobs: A Theory* (2018) by David Graeber — a provocative anthropological argument that a significant share of modern work is pointless by the admission of the people doing it, offering a very different angle on why we still work so much.

Board Game Thursday Night 🎲

**Board Game Night** Join us for a relaxed and social evening of board games! We’ll have a mix of strategy games and shorter games available, with possible options including **Catan, 7 Wonders, Ticket to ride, Powergrid, Deduction games and a few other games** to keep things fun and flexible. **Never played before?** No worries at all. We’ll explain the rules before we start, and the vibe is friendly and beginner-friendly. **Already love board games?** Great. Bring your best tactics and prepare for some light-hearted competition. **What to expect:** 🎲 Friendly rivalry 🤝 Questionable alliances 🧠 Strategy, luck, and a little chaos 😅 A few dramatic betrayals ⏰ Duration: Around 3 hours We’ll confirm the exact games closer to the date, depending on numbers and what everyone feels like playing. 🍔 **Food and drinks are available to purchase at the venue**, so you can grab a bite or a drink while you play. Location: Twilight Fuel [https://maps.app.goo.gl/sXshw8tTADchBaJH9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/sXshw8tTADchBaJH9) 💰 Admin Fee: $6 Once you RSVP, please check your DMs for payment details. Seats are limited to **6 to 8 players**, so grab yours before they're gone! **IMPORTANT:** PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ATTENDANCE IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND/CHANGE PLANS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND ON THE DAY!! [Terms & Conditions](https://harsh-longan-8be.notion.site/All-IS-WELL-CLUB-Board-Game-Event-Terms-Conditions-3943903f6dce8069be71d653f57cb87c)

Unhurried Conversations - Sunday

Bring yourself, we will go over how Unhurried Conversations works.

Max's birthday lunch

Meet New People in Sydney 🌎 | Monday Social, Language Exchange & Games

# Aloha Mondays 🌺🍻 **Mondays don’t have to be boring.** Meet new people, have interesting conversations, practise languages, play games and grab a drink at **Noble Hops**, a cosy bar in the heart of Redfern. Aloha Mondays is a relaxed weekly social for **locals and internationals aged 18–40** who want to make new friends and start the week doing something different. Get your tickets: https://luma.com/2fshp4pc New to Sydney? Busy on weekends? Want to practise a language? Or just feel like meeting some new people? **You’ll fit right in.** 🌺 Aloha Missions **Coming alone? Perfect. That’s kind of the point.** When you arrive, you’ll get your own **Aloha Mission Card** with a series of fun challenges designed to help you meet people naturally. Your missions might be: 🌎 Find someone from a country you’ve never visited 🗣️ Meet someone who speaks 3+ languages ✈️ Find someone who has travelled to 10+ countries 🤝 Find something unexpected you have in common Complete your missions by meeting different people and you could even win a little prize at the end of the night. 🏆 **No awkward standing around wondering who to talk to, your first conversation is already waiting for you.** What else? 👋 🎲 Board games & social games 🗣️ Language exchange (totally optional!) 🌎 Locals & internationals 🍻 Drinks & a relaxed Monday atmosphere ❤️ Good vibes, good people We want Aloha to be a place where everyone feels comfortable and respected. Come to socialise, not to hunt for dates. Respect personal space and boundaries, and don’t pressure anyone for Instagram, phone numbers or other contact details. Anyone behaving inappropriately or making others uncomfortable may be asked to leave. **Aloha reserves the right to refuse entry or remove guests when necessary.** If someone makes you uncomfortable, please speak to one of our hosts — we’re here to help. 📍 **Noble Hops, Redfern** 🗓️ **Every Monday from 6:00 PM** 🎟️ **Ages 18–40** **Come solo or bring a friend. Grab a drink, complete your missions and make Monday worth going out for. 🌺🍻** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- ### 🌎 About Aloha Mondays in your language 🇪🇸 **Español** Conoce gente nueva de forma fácil y divertida. Al llegar recibirás una **Aloha Mission Card** con pequeños retos para ayudarte a iniciar conversaciones, conocer diferentes personas y hacer nuevos amigos. También tendremos juegos de mesa, intercambio de idiomas y un ambiente relajado para disfrutar de una cerveza. **18–40 años. Puedes venir solo — ¡muchos lo hacen!** 🇰🇷 **한국어** 새로운 사람들을 쉽고 재미있게 만나보세요! 입장 시 다양한 사람들과 자연스럽게 대화를 시작할 수 있도록 **Aloha Mission Card**를 드립니다. 미션을 완료하며 새로운 친구를 만나고, 보드게임과 언어 교환도 즐겨보세요. **18–40세 대상이며, 혼자 오셔도 완전 환영합니다!** 🇯🇵 **日本語** 新しい人と気軽に楽しく出会えるイベントです！受付で **Aloha Mission Card** を受け取り、ミッションをクリアしながら自然にいろいろな人と話してみましょう。ボードゲームや言語交換も楽しめます。**18〜40歳対象。一人での参加も大歓迎です！**

Weekend Social Badminton 🏸 (Casual Games + Meet New People)

Join us for a fun and energetic badminton session! This meetup is all about staying active, having fun, and meeting new people. We’ll have friendly matches, good vibes, and plenty of opportunities to rotate and play with different partners. Come along, bring your racket, and let’s smash it on the court! **Location: NBC, Granville** 📍 Details: \*3 indoor courts x 2 hours (Court number will be shared closer to the date) * Around 16-18 people max \***$20 each PAYID** (just to cover court + shuttles) * Once you have registered, keep an eye out for your DM for payment instructions, which will be sent 2 days before the event. \*🎒 Bring: * Water * Shoes If you are keen to make new friends and have a good time, just RSVP! Feel free to reach out to the hosts if you have any questions. See you on the court! **By participating in the event, players acknowledge that badminton involves physical activity and carries a risk of injury. Players participate at their own risk. All IS WELL CLUB, its organisers, and venue partners are not responsible for any injury, loss, damage, or personal belongings before, during, or after the event.** [Terms & Conditions](https://tinyurl.com/c8yxu98d) **IMPORTANT:** PLEASE UPDATE YOUR ATTENDANCE IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND/CHANGE PLANS AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND ON THE DAY!!

Unhurried Conversations at the Pub

In an unhurried conversation, there is time to think differently and connect with people in a refreshing way. Unhurried isn't always slow. It offers a pace where people find it easy to join in and not feel crowded out. And listening can be as satisfying as talking. We use a simple meeting format to make this happen. https://www.unhurried.org/ This newly created event is at a new venue, the Keg & Bew Hotel at Surry Hills. We meet on the 2nd floor around 6:15pm. Food and drinks are available, before and after, on the ground floor and roof top.

Lunch - The Greenwood Hotel

TEMPE Pickleball - Every Day (Book through OpenSports)

Sydney Inner West Pickleball Club - SIWPC - is inviting you to join us at our 8-court venue in Tempe. We run social sessions every morning and some evenings, with all skill levels catered to. So whether you're just starting out in your pickleball journey, or you're a 4.5+ superstar, we have a session for you. Bookings can ONLY be made via OpenSports (do NOT register via Meetup).
Please add Sydney Inner West Pickleball Club (SIWPC) to your groups on the OpenSports app.

[https://opensports.net/sydney-inner-west-pickleball-club](https://opensports.net/sydney-inner-west-pickleball-club) Please note:
you must become a SIWPC member after attending one event as a guest of the club. [Registration - Sydney Inner West Pickleball Club - revolutioniseSPORT](https://www.revolutionise.com.au/siwpickleballclub/registration)

Music Bingo, Free Drink, $1 Hot Dogs - Every Tuesday @ The Soda Factory

Tuesday nights get no better than at **The Soda Factory**! Download your ticket to get a **free drink** on arrival plus wristband for **$8 drinks** til midnight! **Make sure to show your ticket at the door to get your drink voucher and wristband for discounted drinks.** · Free entry all night · $1 hot dogs · Musical bingo 7:30pm-9:30pm · DJ's from 9:30pm til late **Tickets:** [https://tix.unhinged.party/sodatues](https://tix.unhinged.party/sodatues) **This is not an organized Meetup, just an awesome offer we have for you! Our organized Meetups are our pub crawls on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays!** *Please don't leave a negative review as we have informed you that it is not a Meetup and there won't be any host.*

Soda Factory Tuesdays // Free Entry + Free Drink + $1 Hot Dogs

Tuesday nights get no better than at The Soda Factory! Join the guestlist for a free drink on arrival plus $8 drinks til midnight! **Make sure to show your ticket at the door to get your free drink voucher and VIP wristband for discounted drinks.** * Free entry all night * Free drink on arrival (before 10pm) * $8 drinks til midnight * $1 hot dogs * Musical bingo 7:30pm-9:30pm * DJ's from 9:30pm-late Download your free ticket: [https://tix.unhinged.party/sodatues](https://tix.unhinged.party/sodatues) **This is not an organized Meetup, just an awesome offer we have for you! Our organized Meetups are our pub crawls on Fridays and Saturdays!** *Please don't leave a negative review as we have informed you that it is not a Meetup and there won't be any host.*

Daily Domain CBD football