The traditional approach to work needs a redesign, says economist Juliet Schor. She’s leading four-day work week trials in countries like the US and Ireland, and the results so far have been overwhelmingly positive: from increased employer and customer satisfaction to revenue growth and lower turnover. Making the case for a four-day, 32-hour work week (with five days of pay), Schor explains how this model for the future of work could address major challenges like burnout and the climate crisis — and shares how companies and governments could work together to make it a reality.
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Donald Adriel
May 27, 2022 at 4:48 pm
⚠️ *Stop* *wasting* *time* *and* *money* *on things that doesn’t matter, invest it so you can have multiple streams of income*
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Raymond Lowe
May 27, 2022 at 5:05 pm
The 4 day work week would be good if we get that 5th day of pay. It’s a start.
Then if we can make some progress on how much value the heads of companies are able to extract from its workforce, we’d be on to something.
Look at how many tens of billions people like Musk are able to take instead of allowing the employees that create that value to keep more of it.
srtghfnbfg
May 27, 2022 at 7:25 pm
This comment is so underrated. Take my upvote 👍
Ann Ford
May 27, 2022 at 8:36 pm
Having been raised in the 1980s business culture… and then working in it straight out of high school, contrasted with having worked from home (when no one was) since the early 1990s… and then having to return to the on-site, cubicle-centric environment that is corporate America (and one year was plenty…), not only had not much changed, but the general work ethic had actually worsened. The concept of an hourly wage is a privilege once your profession has sold out to subcontracted “piece work,” as it were, with pay only generated for literal, produced “deliverables” I suppose you would call them now. While on-site for that brief interlude in the recent past, I could not comprehend the amount of “leaning,” and “visiting” and just general faking being busy that was happening. I was accustomed to performing an 8-hour requirement within 6 hours, just at my given rate of workflow; everyone’s would vary one way or the other. Especially, to observe the use of personal cell phones at desks–while on the clock–for nothing resembling pertinent family business, emergencies, and the like… was definitely culture shock. All the above being said, the concept laid out here is fantastic and should be commended, notwithstanding implemementation. However, what must always be factored into the equation is the integrity and accountability skills of those employed under any labor scheduling format. A tiered system to counterbalance those who “slack” versus those who pick up that slack by way of consistency and flexibility, would add to validity of the reconfiguration of days. And regarding those “slackers”… built in supports for those truly struggling versus quality monitoring for those who are not… and the resultant consequences. An offering regarding just such a (long renowned and well thought-out concept): Regarding “maximizing the realm of individual freedom… that individual freedom can only be maximized when the realm of necessity is taken care of.” Feel free to Google it. 🙂
Raymond Lowe
May 27, 2022 at 9:03 pm
@Ann Ford I do see the 4 day work week being a general step in the right direction for worker happiness, but also doesn’t address the underlying problems many of us are experiencing.
I can see a lot more time being wasted in office settings for sure, but I have little personal experience of that. I do believe you though lol.
While I agree with slacking being negative in a productivity sense, I think that the opposite is also true, company heads are “slacking” on the amount of value they allow workers to keep in their communities.
They absorb the bulk of that created value as profit and keep it to themselves. This doesn’t do a lot for the nearby community and bettering it. It has an opposite effect. A lot of programs remain underfunded, we have horrible education, roads, and other very poor infrastructure.
Also, when working harder doesn’t translate into more value being created for yourself or community, slacking will be prevalent. Because why would anyone care how much more money they make their shareholders?
Plenty of debate on how to address this, the most common being raising minimum wage.
I’d argue that not only are these massive corporations not paying nearly a fair share of taxes, they are also a drain on the community with the subsidies they are granted to entice them to offer these poor jobs to begin with. Further removing value from the systems in the local communities.
The solution, in my opinion, is a mass awareness shift where billionaires and wealthy shareholders aren’t idolized as heroes, but should be looked at more as parasites or leeches.
Tyler Loconte
May 27, 2022 at 5:16 pm
We’ll never get a widespread four day work week because no one would ever work labour, or warehousing that requires output or five days.
DDPWE
May 27, 2022 at 6:28 pm
All I hear are positives, all around……….so what’s the catch? Companies taking that ‘risk’, even though it shows that almost everything is positive, for everyone?
Klaus Hubbertz
May 27, 2022 at 6:59 pm
Very good idea !! … But do corporate- and share-holder greed allow for this??? It could also become dangerous for governments if many people have more free-time in which they could easily develop their own ideas about how to lead and spend their life; something that may be not for the sole benefit and interests of the elites… 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Brokeski Hardships
May 27, 2022 at 7:22 pm
I work seven days a week, and I don’t even know how to take a day off. The more I work the less I know what to spend the money on. The more I work the more impoverished I feel.
Hayley Tsang
May 27, 2022 at 7:42 pm
What about 3 day work?
Sheptonsmallet
May 27, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Executive’s in every company still equate a loss of hours to less productivity therefore reduction of profits. Yet, many are afraid to engage with the reality that workers..good quality workers are unicorns. Staff retention will drive the 4 days week in tech companies first, friends spead the word..company A becomes attractive Company B meanders, resulting in reduced profits. Executive’s are frightened with the pace of change
Tai Woo
May 27, 2022 at 8:33 pm
Wrong audience 🙄.. Tell this to CEOs, Board of directors, etc who are the decision makers…
Red88Rex
May 27, 2022 at 8:39 pm
I’ve done 4 10s for years. It’s the only way I feel I have a work-life balance, having 3 days off. If my company told me to start doing 5 days again I would quit.
Bert Visscher
May 27, 2022 at 9:18 pm
3:42 I’ve heard that it’s customary in the US to start a phone call with some chitchat. This is not the case (or less so) in The Netherlands.
Frank Delahue
May 27, 2022 at 9:36 pm
How about the case for no work at all?
Frank Delahue
May 27, 2022 at 9:38 pm
“the goal of the future is full unemployment, so we can play.” – Arthur C. Clarke
수지Zuza
May 27, 2022 at 9:46 pm
I wish this could be implemented ASAP. I know that working 8 hours 5 days a week is how the world has set its standards, but as a student when I think about my life being that way for many many years… I hate it. I’m happy some changes are being made.
pax und peace
May 28, 2022 at 12:00 am
8 hours a day should be good when it stays 8 hours and not becomes 9 hours or 10.
G-rig
May 27, 2022 at 10:39 pm
4 ten hour days would be fine.
Most people WFH are taking the piss
Prince Neptunus
May 27, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Surely this has implications for education as well. Does the four-day work week imply a four-day school week, and if so, is there any data to support whether or not there are equivalent benefits for students, educators, and administrators?
Rome Ants
May 27, 2022 at 11:06 pm
Juliet: “four day work weeks make sense”
Restaurants: O.o
nancy Dickson
May 27, 2022 at 11:26 pm
*WITH THE CURRENT DIP,I SERIOUSLY NEED SUGGESTION ON HOW TO DIVERSITY MY PORTFOLIO* 😪
Richard Khalife
May 27, 2022 at 11:45 pm
In the West, we’ll be working 4 days a Week, while in developing countries, they’ll be working 6 to 7 days a week. Great!!
Bushido 144
May 28, 2022 at 12:03 am
The Official Announcement of the Destroyer from Heaven’s Court!
“The time has OFFICIALLY come O’ people of the Earth for your sentences, your pronounced JUDGMENT to be served both to the individuals, and to the whole people of the Earth. A TIME OF WEEPING, A TIME OF MOURNING!!!”
“This is the OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT to your world that the DESTROYER by legal rights is here to strike with the arm of Judgment of the risen Lamb Jesus, and to do his bidding, his commands, which he has received from he who sits on the Throne, the ONLY true and living God, Jehovah, at this appointed time of this day and of this hour!”
“The Destroyer is officially released to complete his task that lays ahead for your world! No longer shall he be partially contained, but is hereby released by the command of the Living God Jehovah.”
“It begins at this releasing of this Heavenly official announcement! You were WARNED out of love of what was to come if evil people refused to repent! You are now once again warned out of love of what is to come upon your world, for he, the GREAT God Jehovah does nothing without giving word to his servants the prophets!”
“Hear me now O’ people of the Earth and hear me well. The striking of the Destroyer is the time of now! Those of his, of the risen Lamb who TRUST in the Lamb shall be safe in his covering of blood, for those commanded by Jehovah God, the ruler of all the Heavens and the Earth, to not be touched by the strikes of the Destroyer!”
“This O’ people of the Earth is your official announcement from Heaven’s court for all things must be done in order by the legal system of Heaven set up by the GREAT God Jehovah himself, when he created the Heavens and the Earth by his commands and his son Jesus, the risen Lamb’s hands. This order cannot be changed! A TIME OF WEEPING! A TIME OF WAILING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE Earth!!!”
Fernando Rodriguez
May 28, 2022 at 12:37 am
cute theory lady but that’s for office work what about cooks? cab drivers? cleaning people? we do not exists or we don’t matter?
Brenda Trimble
May 28, 2022 at 12:42 am
I would love to participate in one of these studies. Please guide me to the nearest company in need of participants! I agree with you 100%. It seems that the shutdowns of 2020 have shortened the working hours of many businesses, but it won’t be long until we’re back up and running 24/7. Once one store extends their hours, the others are soon to follow, they feel they have to in order to compete. Perhaps they should be more concerned with customer service which starts with happy employees. People want to frequent places that make them feel relaxed and/or happy. What they also don’t understand is that if someone wants your services, they’ll find a way to get them. For example…doctors, banks, insurance companies etc., are all open during business hours…yet we still find a way to make it work and fit it into our lives. People need to have more time to spend with family and on their personal lives so they’re less distracted at work.
E B
May 28, 2022 at 12:59 am
I have said for years school and work should be 4 days..I mean with Laundry, Yardwork, chores, family time? Wth
Not Again
May 28, 2022 at 1:12 am
-What do we want ?
-4 days of work per week
-When do we want it
-Now!
101IQ
May 28, 2022 at 1:51 am
A 4 day work week just makes sense even if it’s still 40 hours a week.
New York 419
May 28, 2022 at 2:37 am
Looking at her face, I knew it wasn’t long until she mentioned the fairytale of systemic racism.
Credibility gone. 🤣
Gaasuba Meskhenet
May 28, 2022 at 3:59 am
End coerced labor!
No more evictions from primary residences!
No one should live in fear of losing the only home they have!!!
Bayan M.
May 28, 2022 at 4:18 am
I felt happy only by listening to that imagine if my country implement the idea
可以不要當我嗎
May 28, 2022 at 6:23 am
that is an amazing idea,I but it is too difficult to implement!
可以不要當我嗎
May 28, 2022 at 6:27 am
It means too difficult to ”large scale” implement in Asia region.
wylam2001
May 28, 2022 at 6:33 am
Unfortunately, most companies won’t do this. If they see that they are making money, and workers can handle the pressure while ignoring their mental health, they won’t change anything in the system.
Absynthe
May 28, 2022 at 7:10 am
Richest most advanced society ever, and we still have to work at all? Preposterous.
Bonventure Pearl
May 28, 2022 at 8:42 am
I completely agree with her argument. Also anyone else thinks she sounds similar to Michelle Obama?
Sonu kumar
May 28, 2022 at 9:21 am
IN india working hour for labors is 85 hrs in a week , and for tech companies its more than 70hrs ,
Emiliano
May 28, 2022 at 9:22 am
this should have been a thing 10 years ago at least..we were speaking about it..i really hope it takes off soon, not in 10 years
Sabin
May 28, 2022 at 9:54 am
Overall, I like this idea. I knew I would cringe a when she started in about climate change, but I really didn’t expect the faceplant right into UBI. That makes this a very tough sell.
Brian Gara
May 28, 2022 at 11:01 am
Burnout is real. We need more balance
Kongolox
May 28, 2022 at 11:44 am
There are many nuances to hours / productivity scores in most cases, and its correlation vs causation thing.
Wish if she would site the study sources and not just “The Study Shows”
For information message shahrimelson@gmail. mail
May 28, 2022 at 12:35 pm
People fail to understand that the wise stay financial stable by spending less and investing more while the unwise remain poor by spending more and yet not investing like the wise ones do.
felicia edwards
May 28, 2022 at 4:04 pm
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amelia jack
May 28, 2022 at 4:10 pm
Thank you for the opportunity
Michael Muoghalu
May 28, 2022 at 4:16 pm
You are right but finding someone who can guide is not as easy as it sounds , down here in australia, okay give him try.
chris andrew
May 28, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Thank you so much, I just sent him a message, hoping to get a reply soon
AS Ilenre
May 28, 2022 at 4:33 pm
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JP Bise
May 28, 2022 at 3:40 pm
In Japan, we are far to discuss over this topic due to the respectively low productivity and the traditional belief that labor is a virtue. But I am totally convinced by what she said and hope that it comes true one day (need 30 more years?).
S. M. S.
May 28, 2022 at 4:55 pm
In Germany this is not common, the opposite is the case, especially in health system, etc.
Dave Toms
May 28, 2022 at 11:05 pm
*Scientists:* “A 4 day work week is better for everyone.”
*Capitalists:* “Fools! Sure it’ll make people happy but it’ll ruin the economy!!!”
*Scientists:* “Actually, evidence shows it increases profits and boosts the economy too.”
*Capitalists:* “…you damn hippies! Don’t ruin my profits!!”
M B
May 28, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Most of the unionized construction industry (Ontario Canada) we’ve had a 4 day work week for decades. It is the best.
M B
May 28, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Most of the unionized construction industry (Ontario Canada) we’ve had a 4 day work week for decades. It is the best. We work 36hrs per week that’s 4x9s….perfect balance
Clifford Williams
May 29, 2022 at 12:54 am
I was intrigued by the title Case for 4-day work week! But as soon as him-her said “The 4 day week can help with self care, and managing the daily stresses of systemic Racism, Sexism and Classism”, I was OUT! Sounds like Woke-ist ideology to me!
Regi Velarde
May 29, 2022 at 1:48 am
Me who works 56 hours a week: 😑
Invox
May 29, 2022 at 4:05 pm
We serve the machine. Taugh from a young age to hate Monday and love Friday. While the rich and wealthy have saturday everyday. The machine works for them… Not for you.
C T
May 29, 2022 at 6:09 pm
32 hours week is cool but working 10h per day, 40h week is not.
Nick Athos
May 29, 2022 at 8:32 pm
Come to Sydney where a 6 day week is the norm these days
원서&독서Jenny
May 30, 2022 at 5:11 pm
Korea is going backwards. Today I got the news that our current 52-hour work week cap may be changed to 60.
Stephan Maule
May 30, 2022 at 7:44 pm
Sold, a 4 day work week will solve, sexism, racism and make people who can’t find happiness themselves somehow discover now.. smh
Eva Wong - Wealth Coach
May 31, 2022 at 5:19 am
Well said. When the working days reduce, it doesn’t mean the productivity will reduce. We need to emerge from scarcity thinking to abundance thinking. Everything is possible. We need to strike the balance between work and others.
rianne banzuela
May 31, 2022 at 9:15 am
Im actually happy that my school implements this with friday being a day for orgs or events which helps a lot in handling school stuff.
XBMCMe
May 31, 2022 at 8:17 pm
Wonder how much of this is just a honeymoon period. The Law of Reversion to the mean is strong. Would like to see longer term data on 4 day work weeks.