Four Day Work Week
Studies have shown that working less hours has numerous benefits, without a loss of productivity.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-chan/3-scientifically-backed-r_b_14509568.html
In many jobs, the amount of work required doesn’t magically equal 40 hours. Those who don’t have enough work, will take their time doing it. Those with too much work will soon find that extra help is hired.
Like the living wage for artists idea, this is best rolled out slowly and carefully. So we propose that it only applies to non-managerial government employees. And the roll-out amongst them will be slow and careful.
- Mon-Fri jobs become Mon-Thu
- Any 7 day jobs become Mon-Thu and Fri-Sun (which gets an extra hourly rate)
- 24/7 jobs are unchanged
- Public-facing roles which have traditionally been 8:30 – 4:30, will change to overlapping 8 hour shifts between 7am and 7pm.
Wages will be unchanged, so less hours worked for the same pay. The same level of productivity is expected
Expected Benefits
Happier, healthier workers, at work.
Society benefits from people having more leisure time, as many will have activities that are good for the community.
Parents can spend less on childcare.
More local travel, due to 3 day weekends