Cut working week to 21 hours, urges think tank

[Ali G. 37]

Call for working week of 21 hours

The working week should be cut to 21 hours to help boost the economy and improve quality of life, a left-wing think tank has said.

The New Economics Foundation claimed in a report the reduction in hours would help to ease unemployment and overwork.

The think tank said people were working longer hours now than 30 years ago even though unemployment was at 2.5 million.

The foundation admitted people would earn less, but said they would have more time to carry out worthy tasks.

They would have better scope to look after children or other dependents, there would be more opportunity for civic duties, and older people could even delay retirement, it said.

'Better employees'

Anna Coote, co-author of the 21 Hours report, said: "So many of us live to work, work to earn, and earn to consume, and our consumption habits are squandering the earth's natural resources.

"Spending less time in paid work could help us to break this pattern. We'd have more time to be better parents, better citizens, better carers and better neighbours.

"We could even become better employees - less stressed, more in control, happier in our jobs and more productive.

"It is time to break the power of the old industrial clock, take back our lives and work for a sustainable future."

The foundation's policy director Andrew Simms added: "A cultural shift will throw up real challenges, but there could also be massive benefits for our economy, our quality of life and our planet.

"After all, hands up who wouldn't like a four day weekend?"

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/8513783.stm

Published: 2010/02/13 02:50:12 GMT

© BBC MMX

[Ali G. 37]

Heck yeah..

[trillium13 84]

That would be great-if I made twice as much per hour.

I work over 40 hours a week and only get 7 days vacation time a year. (I do have every weekend off for the most part) It sucks.

[Ali G. 37]

That would be great-if I made twice as much per hour.

I work over 40 hours a week and only get 7 days vacation time a year. (I do have every weekend off for the most part) It sucks.

Welcome to working in the US hey.

[trillium13 84]

Welcome to working in the US hey.

Yeah. When my husband tells me what work was like back in Germany as far as time off it just makes me want to go all postal. People wonder why I get cranky.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Working 60+ hours a week helped to make this country what it is. Working less will lead to decline.

[natty bumppo 297]

BY only works 21 hours .... he is worthless ....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I work over 40 hours a week and only get 7 days vacation time a year. (I do have every weekend off for the most part) It sucks.

Yikes. I remember my first job in the US - similar. No vacation the fist year, two weeks a year thereafter and only 6 holidays a year. Worked most weekends, too. Usually 60-70 hours per week. That sucked. But it also motivated to work hard to find something better.

Now, I work 45-50 hours per week, no weekends, and 5 weeks vacation a year.

[Pooky 3,786]

Now I hate to sound really paranoid, but if the working population worked only 21 hours a week, then the great likelihood is that extensive government regulation and social programming would need to be in place to ensure that the impact on quality of life was mitigated.

Either that, or the members of the think tank need Thursdays and Fridays off to play golf.

[dakay ♥ 10]

Call for working week of 21 hours

The foundation's policy director Andrew Simms added: "A cultural shift will throw up real challenges, but there could also be massive benefits for our economy, our quality of life and our planet.

"After all, hands up who wouldn't like a four day weekend?"

yeah, less time but without reducing the salary!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

They are right. I did that a few years ago. Works great. Two Holidays this week! Monday for Presidents and Tuesday is a rare Tuesday holiday for Valentines day. Yes, valentines Day is an official holiday on MY calendar. (the Monday was already taken by Presidents day) Back to the grind on Wednesday...afternoon. I will have to sleep late to recover from the four day weekend. But will I leave early Wednesday afternoon to make up for it.

Working 60+ hours a week helped to make this country what it is. Working less will lead to decline.

thanks for your contribution.

[lostinblue 1,989]

If you only work 21 hours a week.What do you do with the 6 days you don't work?

[trillium13 84]

If you only work 21 hours a week.What do you do with the 6 days you don't work?

I could certainly find things, IF there was enough money to do so.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

If you only work 21 hours a week.What do you do with the 6 days you don't work?

more time for vj! :dance: :dance:

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I could certainly find things, IF there was enough money to do so.