Does a shorter work week actually increase production? What would be wrong with all Monday-Friday type offices and operations going to a 4 day/10 hour a day model, closed on Fridays? Would it make life for Americans less or more stressful to trade 10 hr. days for an extra day off?
-----------------------------------------------------
It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
-----------------------------------------------------
To donate via Stripe, click here.
-----------------------------------------------------
Use promo code ILMF2, and save up to 66% on all MyPillow purchases. (The Burning Platform benefits when you use this promo code.)
It is my sincere desire to provide readers of this site with the best unbiased information available, and a forum where it can be discussed openly, as our Founders intended. But it is not easy nor inexpensive to do so, especially when those who wish to prevent us from making the truth known, attack us without mercy on all fronts on a daily basis. So each time you visit the site, I would ask that you consider the value that you receive and have received from The Burning Platform and the community of which you are a vital part. I can't do it all alone, and I need your help and support to keep it alive. Please consider contributing an amount commensurate to the value that you receive from this site and community, or even by becoming a sustaining supporter through periodic contributions. [Burning Platform LLC - PO Box 1520 Kulpsville, PA 19443] or Paypal
-----------------------------------------------------
To donate via Stripe, click here.
-----------------------------------------------------
Use promo code ILMF2, and save up to 66% on all MyPillow purchases. (The Burning Platform benefits when you use this promo code.)
Click to visit the TBP Store for Great TBP Merchandise
We were all pushing for that 2 decades ago where I worked. Having a day off during the week would allow more things to get done while some businesses are open and less crowded. Having 3 days off would be more relaxing, leading to a more productive first day back. The only thing that is an obvious downside for management is that for the salaried folks, when 10 hours is reached, everyone will be leaving, while they likely get lots of unpaid overtime on those 8 hour days. As with everything, it can’t work everywhere, can’t work for everyone. But overall, starting earlier and ending earlier might ease traffic congestion, and having a day during the week to get other things done seem like good benefits where it can work. As always, BS tax and labor laws have stood in the way of things just being done as desired.
1/2 the fucking country has a SEVEN day weekend.
And I’m tired of paying for it.
AMMO UP!
I retired in 2011. I keep enjoying my seven day weekends.
I’ve been retired for 7 years, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out how I ever had time to work.
And give the slaves more time to think, discuss, and socialize with others? That could be bad for TPTB, just sayin’.
And, why the 10 hour rule (or 40 hour/wk rule?) Why not just work until you get your stuff done or goals accomplished for the day? I never understood this constraint.
It’s like telling a kid they have to read for 20 minutes a day and keep a log of their reading. How about read for pleasure instead of reading for minutes…to please adults?
I do believe kids should not have to be formally educated 5 days per week/7 hours per day. It doesn’t take that long, really. Our schools are just designed to emulate the corporate slave world though…so there is a purpose to the current structure.
Being self-employed, which I love, I give myself time whenever I want/need it. That’s the beauty.
Any operation in which some are dependent on the actions of others requires a bit more “structure” than that. Some jobs are about firefighting or being around if needed, rather than specifically being given tasks that just need to be completed. I certainly agree with your comments on education. And those who are actually interested in learning, will not limit themselves to time constraints.
I can’t believe someone down-voted your comment. They must have a problem with common sense.
I never worked as hard as when I was self-employed … but, then, I really liked what I did …
And don’t get me started on the schools … or it’ll be “Slowly I turned … step by step … “
Yeah, it’s a different kind of stress knowing you don’t have a consistent paycheck coming in. Or, benefits. I have no health insurance, retirement accounts, etc. But I determined I don’t need health insurance (maybe catastrophic insurance, I suppose) as I believe it’s a racket anyway. And I earn A LOT less now…at least for the time being.
BUT, I have ZERO debt (did really well on the sale of my previous house that put me in a good situation), and cost of living is much less where I am now. So…it’s working out pretty well, so far.
Best to you, Abigail, in your renewal … wishing you much success …
What wrong with a 3 day weekend? Nothing, if I can log 20% less hours for the exact same pay. That might actually help compensate me for the insane inflation I’ve been experiencing. But of course that will NOT be PERMITTED, so what will happen is:
1. I’ll make 20% less income, while inflation continues to ravage my spending power;
2. I’ll no longer be able to afford to do anything fun during that 3 day break,
3. I’ll actually have to take a 2nd job – with shifts on that 3 day weekend – to be able to afford essentials like food, shelter and energy
4. I’ll burn out quicker and be LESS productive at my regular job
5. I’ll eventually lose that job, due to my lack of productivity, and be reliant on Welfare State remedies like “Universal Basic Income”
So, that #5 may actually be the end game for TPTB, who I understand seem to want to promote this insanity. So, as real purchasing power and standard of living is falling like a rock, we need to work and earn LESS? Yeah, that’ll solve that national debt problem!
Yet regarding #3, FWIW, I’m actually already spending my weekends and evenings doing my own renovations anyway (self-employment in a way), to increase the intrinsic value of my primary residence without my labor or capital gains being taxed. Yet I can already smell the rancid breath of gubberment wolves at the “capital gains on primary residences” door, ready to come and steal more of my productivity to feed their insatiable appetite for malfeasance.
What we actually need is a 5 day work week for the private sector with the 5th day income tax-exempt, and a mandate for all gubberment workers to work 6 days a week, with the 6th day’s wage confiscated to pay for all their debt servicing, largesses and waste.
Just a note about 10 hours vs 8 hours – most of us in the salaried professional class who work for private sector companies already work close to 10 hours/day, but are paid for only 8
I’ve been there before but my current job is closer to 8 than 10. I’m a morning person and my productivity drops after 8 hours.
4 10’s would not work well for me. I’ll take 4 8’s though.
Wouldn’t work well for a lot of people. Surely wouldn’t work well for any job where physical fatigue is a factor.
And with 4 10s, most would split at 10, meaning the employer would likely only get 40 rather than 50.
Make that 11-12 hours/day for some.
No way can the Man squeeze out 50-60 work hours out of a salaried employee if he is only there for 4 days. To the contrary, the Man wants you to do more work for free on days 6 and 7!
Read “Momo”!
How quaint. The man? Smartest folks don’t work 60 hours for the man. They work 80 hours for themselves while they are young, so that when they are 40 they are the man. So by the time they are between 30 and 40 they have accumulated thousands upon thousands of hours more experience than their competitors.
You aren’t paid by the hour. You are paid for a set of responsibilities. You would have had zero expectation you could meet your responsibilities in 8 hours, and I highly doubt your employment agreement mentions you are paid for only 8 hours.
Husband works four ten hour days and loves it. Saves him the two plus hour round trip commute he would have to do on the fifth day. He’s off on Monday’s. It’s great getting out on the river fishing on Monday’s when it’s not as crowded as on the weekends.
Nearly everyone I worked with had a 2 hour commute every day. The prospect of getting that back for one day along with one day off made the whole thing make lots of sense. Shifting to one hour earlier and one hour later each day would also likely have meant a shorter commute because of less traffic.
When you are retired every day is a Saturday, except Sunday 🙏 and that is a good day too.
Yup.
Actually, there’s another day of the week for us retirees — if you have an appointment, it’s a Monday …
I once worked a 3×12 job, where as if the other person did not show up on Friday then I knew they would not show all weekend so I would then work my 40 hrs straight then commute 3 hours home. Excellent!
I can show by practical example that a 3 day working week (3 x 12hr shifts) yields 80% of normal productivity even with blackouts. This was in UK in 1973 when I remember the 3-day week imposed during the fuel crisis. And not only that, but with inflation raging at 25% and interest rates at 8% – using debt to invest in equities (which were riding high) on margin, that is, allowed me to pay off my mortgage in 8 months.
There are always opportunities in crises – you just have to find them. This time around we have a similar situation but markets are not playing yet – they will soon though. Actual inflation (shadowstats) is estimated at around 15% and with interest at 2-3% on accessible debt – we have arbitrage big-time. Go for it!
So, a 3 day work week of 36 hours gives you 32 hours of work. (40*.8 = 32). So,the employer pays for 36, gets 32. Won’t be a lot of takers for that deal. But that is about what I would expect.
Productivity falls off a cliff for some jobs at those hours – especially when they are physical or the employee isn’t accustomed to long hours of concentration. That is where early training comes in – a person can, over time, train themselves to be able to concentrate and perform well while working extended hours.
I wasn’t suggesting this would work as permanent – it is what I remembered in the emergency of 1973. I think on-going a 4 day week might include a more relaxed attitude and actually improve productivity? But the best option for me is to forget employment (wage slavery) and have everyone be self-employed – it might just come to that in the end.
My employer works their hourly employees 7 days a week. An official 4 day work week would mean they would pay more overtime.
Well that’s a pantload.
Cut your hours by 20% increase your output by twice that?
Sure, whatever you say, study people.
No way in hell. Four ten hour days? People get tired. The last 4 hrs of that day will result in poorer results. Guaranteed. Or 32 hrs, but at reduced pay. People will love that!
Plus what about the costs of capital? What about rostering headaches?
If 4 days are more productive, then why not 3? The above bullshit meme says 4 days are 40% more productive, so you actually get 56 hours of relative work. Riiiiiiight. Prolly get 70 hours work if you go to a 3 day week.
Here is the bottom line – if it fucking worked, business owners would do it. If I could get 16 hours more work from each employee by working 4 days, I would be all over that like a rash.
Employees love it – they get to work even less than they already do.
And here is another little thing it will do – it will give employers even more incentive to automate. Coming to a job site near you.
Are you implying that employees are lazy and seek to do the least amount of work possible?
*gasp* Capitalist!
Chud – sorry if I wasn’t clear. I am usually more pointed.
I am indeed saying that employees are lazy and seek to do the least amount of work possible. 🙂
Well, most people only do 5-6 hours of work per day anyway.