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Why Not a Three-Day Week?

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Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#11

Post by techsupporter »

happycube wrote: post #2

I've always thought a four-day week makes a lot more sense than five... 4:3 on/off is a much nicer ratio than 5:2.

I have been fortunate enough to work a 4x10 shift for my employer for the past 6 or 7 years. At this point, the shift and hours are almost worth more to me than the actual job I am doing since having the three days off makes for a much more relaxed weekend. Being off for one or two weekdays when most everyone else is at work is also a definite plus since it makes getting errands done and just going out and being a "tourist" in my own city much easier.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#12

Post by iagooar »

Laremere wrote: post #7
happycube wrote: post #2

I've always thought a four-day week makes a lot more sense than five... 4:3 on/off is a much nicer ratio than 5:2.

Relevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=semdh-j8V6w

I think that working in IT allows you to earn enough money to sustain a four-day week, even having a family.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#13

Post by MisterBastahrd »

learc83 wrote: post #10
chillingeffect wrote: post #5

w/r/t The Protestant Work Ethic: The book only gets a one-sentence mention in the article, but much, much more could be said. Particularly, it presents overworking as a form of paranoia. Working was framed as a duty to God and since we didn't know if God existed, we were to work hard, just in case . Now that we've (largely) shifted our beliefs from a Christian god to more diffused spirituality, we can stop justifying…

> Now that we've (largely) shifted our beliefs from a Christian god to more diffused spirituality Where did you get that from? A quick google search says about 3/4 of Americans identify as Christian, and about 62% are members of a church congregation.

I'd guess about half of that identify as Christian because it's socially unacceptable to be agnostic. Church communities have more uses than simple religious worship. Ask any salesman.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#14

Post by grimtrigger »

I would love some kind of job board for "lifestyle jobs". Thats jobs with 2 or 3 day work weeks and a 9-5 schedule. I might go as low as $60k (+ benefits) if it was offered.

The closest thing to achieve that now is freelancing.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#15

Post by jqm »

MisterBastahrd wrote: post #13
learc83 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Now that we've (largely) shifted our beliefs from a Christian god to more diffused spirituality Where did you get that from? A quick google search says about 3/4 of Americans identify as Christian, and about 62% are members of a church congregation.

I'd guess about half of that identify as Christian because it's socially unacceptable to be agnostic. Church communities have more uses than simple religious worship. Ask any salesman.

On this topic how many days a week do pastors work?

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#17

Post by learc83 »

MisterBastahrd wrote: post #13
learc83 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Now that we've (largely) shifted our beliefs from a Christian god to more diffused spirituality Where did you get that from? A quick google search says about 3/4 of Americans identify as Christian, and about 62% are members of a church congregation.

I'd guess about half of that identify as Christian because it's socially unacceptable to be agnostic. Church communities have more uses than simple religious worship. Ask any salesman.

>I'd guess about half of that identify as Christian because it's socially unacceptable to be agnostic.

That's much less an issue now than 50 years ago though, which is what's important when talking about a relative decline. It was much less socially acceptable to identify as agnostic in 1960 than it is today.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#18

Post by k__ »

iagooar wrote: post #12
Laremere wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Relevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=semdh-j8V6w

I think that working in IT allows you to earn enough money to sustain a four-day week, even having a family.

Many people think so, but you'll get those 50%-80% jobs only in those sectors where they don't pay enough per hour that you can live from it.

It's a real shame....

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#19

Post by patio11 »

edroche wrote: post #3

This is the biggest thing I miss from my consulting days. I would never work a 5-day week. It would either be a 3-day or 4-day week, leaving lots of time for travel, family and hobbies. Sadly, I could never see our clients accepting any business day where we are not available during regular business hours.

Clients are surprisingly willing to deal with that. It may be less of a hard constraint than you think it is, particularly if you train your clients to expect that type of working relationship.

I had an interesting call with a doctor client recently. "I didn't notice a number on your website." "That's correct." "So how am I supposed to get in touch with you?" "I recommend email." "But you only respond to email a day later." "That's correct." "Shouldn't you make yourself more available to your customers?" "With respect, doctor, I'm exactly as available as I wish to be."

You would think she'd be mad after a conversation including that, but she actually left happy, because I was able to fix her problem.

Re: Why Not a Three-Day Week?

#20

Post by PaulWillis »

jqm wrote: post #15
MisterBastahrd wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd guess about half of that identify as Christian because it's socially unacceptable to be agnostic. Church communities have more uses than simple religious worship. Ask any salesman.

On this topic how many days a week do pastors work?

The pastors I'm familiar with all work a typical work week - 40 hours or more. Plus visiting the hospital, counseling, weddings, funerals etc.
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