41–50 of 105 posts
Standardizing work always leads to problems. Some individuals need 3 hours, others 12 hours. The only question is whether the job is done.
While I agree that an arbitrary eight-hour work day may not suit every task the best, I don't see why switching it to six hours is any less arbitrary. As a self-employed person my pay _directly_ correlates to the amount of hours I grind away. I actively try to make my working time more efficient, but cutting down on hours wouldn't get me anywhere. Why not advocate that shifts be of a length required by the task alone…
Can't wait till this happens in North America. I hope we realize shorter work days and basic income in the next couple of decades. Then we will truly have a golden age.
And then firing the bottom 20% consistently of the people who work the least.
While I agree that an arbitrary eight-hour work day may not suit every task the best, I don't see why switching it to six hours is any less arbitrary. As a self-employed person my pay _directly_ correlates to the amount of hours I grind away. I actively try to make my working time more efficient, but cutting down on hours wouldn't get me anywhere. Why not advocate that shifts be of a length required by the task alone…
Because it's mentally taxing to work for eight hours straight for many if not most people. Knowledge work ( http://calnewport.com/blog/2012/11/21/knowledge-workers-are-... ) does not scale linearly with time, even over the course of a workday.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm kind of Ok with letting other countries try this one out first. I'm receptive to the idea of basic income, but the potential unintended consequences seem terrifying.
If anyone is to try this, the states are ideal candidates. People can (and do) vote with their feet when states implement negative policies, which is one reason they are "laboratories of democracy". In addition, it is clear that they have the consitutional authority to do this (while the federal government does not).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I fully expect the US to be the very last to switch.
I'm kind of Ok with letting other countries try this one out first. I'm receptive to the idea of basic income, but the potential unintended consequences seem terrifying.
Can't wait till this happens in North America. I hope we realize shorter work days and basic income in the next couple of decades. Then we will truly have a golden age.
I fully expect the US to be the very last to switch.
I've found that working 8 or 9 months during the year then taking 3 or 4 months to look for the next contract or FT job helps me to re-sync and avoid burn-out (at least, I don't think I'm burned out - that's a good sign right!).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You're assuming a 1:1 ratio between time and productivity, which is just not the case for a lot of jobs. In a customer-facing job well yeah, you need people to operate the business as long as the doors are open. But many offices could run from 10am-5pm or 8am-3pm without seriously impacting productivity.
I'm not against the idea. Was just pointing out that Sweden in general is not moving towards this. Not a single political party is actively driving the 35 hour line which was in the talks a decade ago.