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Interesting idea for a 4 day work week in U.S. in an article I read. I'll outline it here (link at bottom).
1. Countries that work less are happier
2. Shorter work weeks don't hurt economically
3. Increased productivity with a 4 day work week
Obviously one of the downsides I see is less pay as well as some scheduling concerns regarding the actual workweek. But some of the top happiest countries (norway, sweden) have implemented the 4 day workweek successfully. The article also points out that although productivity has increased overall in the U.S.in a normal 5 day work week, it has been at the cost of decreased morale and longer hours worked.
Some numbers I stole from forbes.com:
36% of employers allow at least some employees to work a 4 day week while only 7% let all employees do this.
44% of female doctors work 4 day weeks (didnt see a number for male)
86% of men and 67% women work more than 40hrs in any given week
So have any you experienced a 4 day work week? Do you think its a good idea? Thoughts please.
I don't know why there would be a loss in pay. Everyone I know who works 4 days a week works 10 hour days. Scheduling is not an issue either; everyone does not need the same days off. I used to work 4/10s years ago. I would go back to it in a heart beat but I am no longer in the position that works that schedule.
Obviously one of the downsides I see is less pay as well as some scheduling concerns regarding the actual workweek. But some of the top happiest countries (norway, sweden) have implemented the 4 day workweek successfully.
If I knew I only had to work my 42 hours a week with no more Id be very happy. I choose to live cheap and its the not knowing if Ill have to work overtime that is somewhat annoying. Just because others live at work doesnt mean Im going too... life is about choices.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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We have people working 4 10s, but more of them working 4-10s one week, 5-8s the next for every other Monday or Friday off. Those seem to be the happiest. For many 4-10s every week is too much, and they tend to burn out late in the day and accomplish less work.
We have summer Fridays in the summer. We get out at 1:00. I personally think MORE gets done from Memorial Day to Labor Day just because people are excited for the early release.
If we went to a 4 day work week (32 hours), there would still be lots of people in the US who would work 5 and 6 day weeks, and they would get paid more.
There's a lot of people who work part time now.
Heck, I know lots of people who don't work or barely work at all and live well ... somehow.
Most Americans are about $. Most of us make good wages and still complain about how little money we make.
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