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In the 1930s, influential British economist John Maynard Keynes predicted that technology would become so advanced by the time his grandchildren were grown that we would all enjoy a 15-hour work week. The ensuing decades have proven his prediction to be spectacularly wrong. Workers in most developed nations still work around 40 hours a week, even more in some nations.
In response, a movement in support of a four-day work week has gained traction around the world. A number of U.S. firms have experimented with it and some labor unions are championing the idea. A financial firm in New Zealand was so pleased with the results of a trial that they adopted the policy full-time. The Labour Party in the United Kingdom is considering making a four-day week part of its platform. Several other European countries have taken steps to reduce the work hours of their citizens.
For me, yes. I used to have flex time, and I could get so much (errands, take a class, Dr appt) done without having to petition Congress for time off. This 8-5 schedule I have now is crap, and I feel like I am constantly banging a round peg into a square hole. 3/4 of the things that I need to attend to close up shop right when I get off of work. An extra day off would be magnificent. There are many more things beyond actual necessities that I could attend to with an extra day. The sacrifice of longer week days does not bother me.
I think for hourly work it could work, but I doubt it will ever catch on in the US, because I cannot imagine US employers making a complete 180° turn and going down that path with their salaried employees. They'd rather have their (salaried) staff working five days a week, extracting as much work out of them as possible.
I think for hourly work it could work, but I doubt it will ever catch on in the US, because I cannot imagine US employers making a complete 180° turn and going down that path with their salaried employees. They'd rather have their (salaried) staff working five days a week, extracting as much work out of them as possible.
I have a friend who works at Lockheed Martin. According to her the company is considering going to a 4 day workweek, and even sent a survey to employees to solicit their opinions on it. If approved, it will start in January, apparently for both salaried and hourly. I don't know how prevalent it is, but LM has around 100K employees, so it's not a small thing.
No, it would not work better for everyone. We have it in my office and only about 2 people have chosen to take it. The flexible work hours (we can start anywhere from 6:30 to 9:30) and ability to take a long lunch are far better for people than the 4-day workweek since they allow people to take appointments on any day before work, after work, or during the lunch period if needed.
People with kids also have to deal with daycare/childcare hours, which are designed for the 8-hour workday and are usually open from about 7:30 to 5 or 6 and it makes it hard to do when you are doing the 10-hour day and might not be able to make it to pickup on time. It’s also not ideal for taking your kids to activities. I think one of my friend’s mothers did the 4-day week, but she worked in government and probably had a more flexible start time that got her out early enough on weekdays to allow her to participate in the activities with her children. Many other places won’t allow you to start at 6 or 6:30. I have a few friends who do the 4/5/9 schedule and they like that. Their days are slightly longer, but it isn’t noticeable. One gets a 1/2 day off weekly and the other gets every other Friday off.
My brother has had a Mon-Thu schedule for years. Just has to work a little longer during the four.
It depends on the industry. Someone in luxury auto sales or real estate works every day.
I worked 6-weeks on and 4-weeks off for years in Saudi. It was awesome.
I have a friend who works at Lockheed Martin. According to her the company is considering going to a 4 day workweek, and even sent a survey to employees to solicit their opinions on it. If approved, it will start in January, apparently for both salaried and hourly.
It is not a 4-day work week for salaried employees unless the company offices aren't open on the fifth day (since otherwise you'll see the salaried staff, at least those who want to get rewarded, working all five days regardless). Heck, even with a 5-day work week, I've been expected to keep tabs on email over the weekend at times.
Now, if they really do go to a 4-day work week for the company, let's watch how the public announcement of it affects LMT and see if the Board is still willing to go forward with it after that.
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