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It's an interesting concept, and it might actually be true, as counterintuitive as it may seem to some. I had a conversation with an economist a while ago who pointed out that employee productivity per hour falls off dramatically when hours are increased beyond a certain point (about 10 per day), and that annual productivity is actually raised when people have an assured six weeks of vacation time.
There are several reasons behind this, some of which are obvious, and some more subtle. Exhausted employees, as you would expect, tend to scale their work performance way back, as a good chunk of their energy has to be devoted merely to keep them alert and awake. Over time, this leads to frustration and demoralization, which also reduces productivity. It increases health care costs as well, since employees who spend more time at the workplace end up taking less care of themselves physically, and eating poorer diets. The mental aspect often leads to expensive anti-anxiety or mood-elevating prescription drug treatments that might have been avoided with more vacation time.
Also, more employees develop strategies for dealing with longer hours that hurt productivity - an employee who knows he has to work for 12 hours in a particular day will consciously or unconsciously space out tasks in order to reduce the work burden at any particular moment. Instead of eight hours of hard work, you get 12 hours of softer work that results in approximately the same amount of work product, but with the stress to the employee of the longer hours, less time at home, etc.
However, employers tend to get into arms races with one another, and are reluctant to increase vacation time because it might 'look lazy.' Many economists argue that the only way to break this downward race is for the government to step in and mandate more vacation time. These economists don't argue for this because they feel sorry for employees, but because, as economists, they feel it would maximize economic productivity.
Does that idea deserve further study and exploration, or is it a 'socialist plot' that should be rejected outright?
Simple answer: Yes But people are not going to want the government to decide this for them. Even a two week relaxing vacation allows you to come back rejuvenated. People look younger, feel better, work better, have a fresh attitude.
Simple answer: Yes But people are not going to want the government to decide this for them. Even a two week relaxing vacation allows you to come back rejuvenated. People look younger, feel better, work better, have a fresh attitude.
ARE YOU KIDDING?!?! I'd LOVE to have the government decide this for me!!! I'd LOVE an extra week or so off per year! The government mandating a minimum vacation time isn't socialist because it doesn't cost the government a dime except for govies getting extra time off which a lot of them already get way more than the rest of us regular joes anyway.
Last edited by Stormcrow73; 01-17-2008 at 02:12 PM..
Reason: typo
No, "mandating" anyting is not going to increase productivity. I value my vacation time, and nobody needs to nudge me to take it. On the other hand I have co-workers who are all about making money and would rather get payed out in cash at years end.
Business owners might eventually come around on the idea if it is shown to work. Kind of like how many of them are now pushing for government-run universal health care, after decades of opposing that as 'socialism.'
If people wanted more time off they could and would take it, the truth of the matter is that most have gotten themselves into hock up to their eyeballs, got have the two cars nice house cable cell phones dvd ipod flatscreen atvs boat clothes and the daily 5 dollar trip to starbucks. If you want more time off take it! Just dont expect everyone else to pay for it!
Hawthorne Effect would indicate that increasing mandated vacation time would initially enhance productivity, and subsequently taking vacation time away would again initially enhance productivity.
On the other hand I have co-workers who are all about making money and would rather get payed out in cash at years end.
Well, that's the thing - there are also plenty of people who would be willing to violate safety regulations, or do risky things, or illegal things, for a higher payout. But that reintroduces the whole 'race to the bottom' problem.
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