Should the US adopt a shorter working week? (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Kate Dailey
BBC News

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There is a growing body of evidence that shorter work weeks actually lead to more productive employees.

Right now, the US seems to value long work weeks for the sake of long work weeks. We put in more time at the office than other Western nations, but with less to show for it than one would hope.

According to Melissa Dahl, writing in New York Magazine, "The US is one of the most productive nations on the planet, second only to Luxembourg, but Americans work almost 20% more hours than individuals in Luxembourg. We're working longer days, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're achieving more."

An earlier report found that there was little correlation between hours worked, productivity, and wages. Writing in MarketWatch, Quentin Fortrell calculates that Germany works almost 45% fewer annual hours than Greece, but is 70% more productive, while annual German salaries are higher.

Reducing work hours has also reduced unemployment, he says, noting that "countries with the largest reduction in work hours had the largest increase in employment rates since the Great Recession".
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-28992488

[NYC_SKP]

1. Absolutely. The carpenters' union used to do this when work was slow.

Black Mondays, every other Monday off, would provide work for more carpenters.

The article bears this out. Further, less stress and more time for quality non-work activities makes for a healthier worker, family, and community.

We work and worry way too fucking much.

I'm all for the simpler life.

[msongs]

2. yes let's all take a 20% pay reduction in trade for an extra day off to look for a second/third job

to make up for the pay cut. great idea!

[tularetom]

3. Damn right we should

Several times in my life I actually was able to choose between a higher salary and more time off. Each time I opted for the time off. Looking back, I'm glad I did.

Had I chosen more pay, I just would have spent it. But I could never get back the time I didn't spend with my kids and grandkids.

I knew people who had to practically be forced to take vacations, probably out of fear that their boss would discover that the place ran perfectly well without them. I was under no such illusions, I knew the place would run perfectly well without me, also knew my bosses were too dumb to figure that out.