As part of his Labor Day message to workers in the United States, Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday re-upped his call for the establishment of a 20% cut to the workweek with no loss in pay—an idea he said is “not radical” given the enormous productivity gains over recent decades that have resulted in massive profits for corporations but scraps for employees and the working class.
“It’s time for a 32-hour workweek with no loss in pay,” Sanders wrote in a Guardian op-ed as he cited a 480% increase in worker productivity since the 40-hour workweek was first established in 1940.
“It’s time,” he continued, “that working families were able to take advantage of the increased productivity that new technologies provide so that they can enjoy more leisure time, family time, educational and cultural opportunities—and less stress.”
I was with you until:
I think the idea is to free up an entire extra day, allowing travel, an extra day to run errands, etc. For many, there is basically no difference between working 8 hours or working 7 if they still have to commute, get dressed and get their brain wrapped around whatever is going on in work mode.
Yes, with 4 days, 8 hours the idea is what you described.
With 5 days, 7 hours the idea is that you don’t work effectively anyway in the last 1-2 hours, not doing many useful things, adding to depression and also obviously still using that time, so it’s better to get some rest or social activity or take a walk instead.
True… realistically knowledge workers are only productive for a few hours at a time. The rest of an 8 hr+ day is just wasted pretending to be busy.
Getting them out of the work environment gives a good chance to reboot and come back fresh.
I work an 8 hour day and do that anyway. You are mandated a lunch and 2 breaks. Take a walk during that time. Another whole day off is a far better way to refresh yourself completely.
Yes, to each his own. Which is why I’d like both to be valid options.
(Also in my country you are mandated 1 big break for lunch only, but nobody generally looks wrong at you for going to the bathroom, for some coffee, to smoke etc.)