Experiments with a shorter workweek have shown that working fewer hours improves worker well-being and productivity. But we can’t expect employers to implement this transformative change of their own volition.

Experiments with a shorter workweek have shown that shown that working fewer hours improves worker well-being and productivity. But we can’t expect employers to implement this transformative change of their own volition.

  • Omgpwnies@lemmy.worldEnglish
    142·
    19 hours ago

    Seems you haven’t read past the headline any time you’ve encountered this.

    In the industry I work in, I would end up on the street if I only worked four days a week.

    In the industry you work in, your employer would be required to raise your hourly rate such that you would be paid the same as you were in the old scheme. The same thing happened when 40 hour work weeks were mandated.

    What about teachers? Are students only supposed to attend school four days a week? There are not enough teachers to run multiple overlapping schedules throughout the week.

    https://www.edweek.org/leadership/the-4-day-school-week-what-research-shows-about-the-alternative-schedule/2026/04 Academically, there is little difference in a 4 vs 5 day instruction week, but certain non-academic markers improve, including teacher retention rates.

    What about competition? Are we going to prohibit companies from operating five days a week? If one company switches to four days, another will simply step in and say, “We’ll work five.”

    The main driver of a 4 day week is that people are at least as productive in those four days, and have more time to live their lives - leading to them being more rested and able to be more productive. There are already companies using a 32-hour workweek and are quite successful. If this is adopted on a large-scale, companies clinging to a 40-hour week simply will not be able to compete in recruiting quality workers.

    As long as our economy remains based on scarcity, there will be no universal four-day work week.

    As long as rubes like you believe that you just have to grind harder and your millions will come, there will be no four-day week

    Now go ahead and downvote me and tell me how great socialism is.

    Go ahead and downvote me and tell me how much you love the taste of boot. Maybe also read up on how McCarthy created a propaganda system to denigrate socialism and communism to enrich corporate America at your expense.

    • mechoman444@lemmy.world
      12·
      11 hours ago

      And you seem to have a problem understanding basic economics.

      your employer would be required to raise your hourly rate such that you would be paid the same as you were in the old scheme.

      And where would this additional money come from? In my line of work I get paid per work order closed. And that money comes from a fixed flat rate we charge. If our flat rate went up a small company would swoop in with a lower flat rate and would be willing to work more than 4 days a week.

      Academically, there is little difference in a 4 vs 5 day instruction week, but certain non-academic markers improve, including teacher retention rates.

      So do you pay teachers for the amount of time they work decreasing how little money they already make? There is a reason why schools operate the way they do and it’s not because the four day or five day work week is better or worse they operate with the fact that parents work. That’s why school starts so early. So parents can get their kids ready for school and not be late to work. What are parents supposed to do with their kids if they have a free day? Pay more for daycare or a babysitter? How would you cover that cost? As a parent I heavily rely on the school schedule to keep my kids safe while I work. But you’re right academically there is no difference between going to school for 4 days or 5. Which apparently is the only metric your little brain has come up with.

      The main driver of a 4 day week is that people are at least as productive in those four days

      I once again agree and the amount of companies and industries that can support this kind of throughput is few and far between. I noticed you glossed over those parts. Salaried office workers comprise only a small fraction of the work force in America. Office workers aren’t keeping this country afloat. It’s plumbers and electricians and garbage men. Industries that cannot adopt a 4 day work week.

      As long as rubes like you believe that you just have to grind harder and your millions will come, there will be no four-day week

      This is what pissed me off the most. Where did you draw this conclusion from? Did I say anything like I think we should grind harder and pull ourselves up by our bootstraps? You think I don’t see the massive wealth inequality especially in America? That people are literally dying on the job day to day? Or the pro corporation administration currently in power in the US? We’re fucked. We’re all fucked. As a four day work week isn’t the solution. Which is why I brought up the fact that we live in a Scarcity-Based economy, which you once again glossed over conveniently.

      As for the part about McCarthy I’ll leave with my regular disclaimer before this becomes the topic of conversation: Socialism refers to collective ownership of the means of production. Social democracy refers to a capitalist market economy supplemented by welfare programs, labor protections, and public services. The two terms are not interchangeable despite frequent misuse on the internet. You are describing and advocating for social democracy not socialism.

      https://youtube.com/shorts/zMmjKRettxA