Cut working week to 21 hours, urges think tank

[Christi and Ian 24]

Why 21? That's a weird number.

If you work 5 days a week, that's 4 hours and 12 minutes a day...

I guess if you work 7 days a week, that's 3 hours a day...

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

As a human we must work more than 21 hours or have the money to entertain our hobbies for the rest of the time.

If I was forced to work 21 hours yet have no spare cash to do anything I'd probably throw myself in front of a bus.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Sousuke

[Ali G. 37]

As a human we must work more than 21 hours or have the money to entertain our hobbies for the rest of the time.

If I was forced to work 21 hours yet have no spare cash to do anything I'd probably throw myself in front of a bus.

It's definitely questionable whether the majority of people here actually earn more than others who work less hours abroad. Furthermore, do people really have the time off to enjoy it? I at least had four weeks vacation minimum in Aus, which could be extended to 6 weeks. This gave me more than enough time to travel and do the things I wanted to do. After all, we tend to work to live in other first world countries, rather than live to work, as many do here. There is a hell of a lot of people here that have zero life outside their work (career). Work is what defines many Americans. Quite sad actually.

There is also limited actual research to support the notion that working people to death results in improved productivity. All research I have seen, particularly during my schooling, illustrated otherwise. The huge success of companies like google, even my own personal experience from one country (working environment) to the US, also suggest that this work to death attitude does not result in any actual improved productivity.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Booyah

[Marilyn. 340]

my husband has 15 days vacation which will get upped to 20 days once he has been there 10 years which is in about 3 or 4 years...

[Dan J 277]

my husband has 15 days vacation which will get upped to 20 days once he has been there 10 years which is in about 3 or 4 years...

I think that has to change, people working 10 years or more for one company is getting less and less likely. Companies are much more willing to let people go if their business needs change rather than attempt to retrain that employee.

[Ali G. 37]

my husband has 15 days vacation which will get upped to 20 days once he has been there 10 years which is in about 3 or 4 years...

That is definitely not the norm. After all, the US does not have a federally mandated annual vacation time. The norm is about two weeks. Whereas, after your first year of work in Aus, you receive 20 days vacation. I wonder how that is working out for them and their businesses. Oh that's right, their national unemployment rate just fell to 5.3%; with the rate in cities being even lower.

Edit: Actually after working at a place for ten years, you receive an additional three months long-service leave in Au; which to me, is more than fair enough.

I know if I owned my own company, I would want my employees to be relaxed and valued, therefore, more productive. After all, this is the information age, where the right idea can bring in hundreds of millions..

Edited February 14, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

Only legacy run companies treat their employees like a commodity. In 2010 all this does is compels them to start their own business and take their ideas and knowledge with them.

Edited February 14, 2010 by Booyah

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

As a human we must work more than 21 hours or have the money to entertain our hobbies for the rest of the time.

If I was forced to work 21 hours yet have no spare cash to do anything I'd probably throw myself in front of a bus.

Sorry. Not true. If I was forced to work 21 hours per week I would complain about being stressed out and overworked. There is way too much other good stuff to do. The key is making enough ion 21 hours (or preferably less, 4 hours + per day seems like too much) to take care of all your needs.

The best way to become a millionaire? Get a job paying $1 million per hour. Work one hour. Quit. If you are making $25 per hour and working 40 hours, find a way to make $50 per hour and work 20 hours...same thing.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

It's definitely questionable whether the majority of people here actually earn more than others who work less hours abroad. Furthermore, do people really have the time off to enjoy it? I at least had four weeks vacation minimum in Aus, which could be extended to 6 weeks. This gave me more than enough time to travel and do the things I wanted to do. After all, we tend to work to live in other first world countries, rather than live to work, as many do here. There is a hell of a lot of people here that have zero life outside their work (career). Work is what defines many Americans. Quite sad actually.

There is also limited actual research to support the notion that working people to death results in improved productivity. All research I have seen, particularly during my schooling, illustrated otherwise. The huge success of companies like google, even my own personal experience from one country (working environment) to the US, also suggest that this work to death attitude does not result in any actual improved productivity.

I worked 36 hours abroad and made about 70% of what I make here. Thats one thing, but 21 hours and what? 50% pay? I'd barely scrape by. I'd have to spend my days in the library or something.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Sorry. Not true. If I was forced to work 21 hours per week I would complain about being stressed out and overworked. There is way too much other good stuff to do. The key is making enough ion 21 hours (or preferably less, 4 hours + per day seems like too much) to take care of all your needs.

The best way to become a millionaire? Get a job paying $1 million per hour. Work one hour. Quit. If you are making $25 per hour and working 40 hours, find a way to make $50 per hour and work 20 hours...same thing.

That's all fine, but I thought we were talking about a mandatory work week of 21 hours? So yes someone getting paid $120 an hour that's great your still getting 1260 a week that's live-able income for everywhere but say NY /SF. Meanwhile the guy down the street earning $10 an hour gets 210 a week. Even in Kansas that's not enough to get by. Maybe I missed the point of this thread?

[scandal 951]

Maybe I missed the point of this thread?

Point???

[trillium13 84]

I know if I owned my own company, I would want my employees to be relaxed and valued, therefore, more productive.

This is the part that people don't seem to get here in the US. I know that I personally would appreciate that. Of course there are always those who are going to be lazy azzes and ruin everything for everyone else.

Edited February 15, 2010 by trillium13

[Ali G. 37]

Point???

Nearly forgot, only a anchor-baby is permitted to have an opinion. Then again, apparently even international research studies conducted by people earning more than you is questionable when compared to your opinion.

You're the easiest guy to own on VJ, hence, why anyone who actually bothers engaging you, does so quite easily. Run off and do what you do best, I am sure a sheep f----g thread should pop up for you to participate in. Maybe, even the find the odd thing to bash AUS about, which seems to make you feel better about your choices in life.

I'll give you something to toss over, I heard they have a drought.

Edited February 15, 2010 by Booyah

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Nearly forgot, only a anchor-baby is permitted to have an opinion. Then again, apparently even international research studies conducted by people earning more than you is questionable when compared to your opinion.

You're the easiest guy to own on VJ, hence, why anyone who actually bothers engaging you, does so quite easily. Run off and do what you do best, I am sure a sheep f----g thread should pop up for you to participate in. Maybe, even the find the odd thing to bash AUS about, which seems to make you feel better about your choices in life.

I'll give you something to toss over, I heard they have a drought.

Perhaps you're reading more into his comment than was intended?