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Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

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Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#151

If they (or you, or anyone) want a 4 day work week, then why not pick a profession that allows it? Most healthcare related fields work in 12 hour shifts, so working 3-4 days a week is the normal standard. Not every professional job is an office job 9-5.

What point does this argument hold besides "it's what we do now so we don't change it"? Same thing could be argued when five-day work weeks were first proposed.

I think his point is you can have a 4 day week now and not have to wait for corporations to comply (good luck with that).

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a glass half full way to look at it. I'm creating jobs here and helping the local economy. I think it's a win-win.

That's what the people say who tear down 3 4-plexes to build a triple-lot mansion in Chicago say. If you have the option, more power to you - literally.

That's a funny example; Chicago has the most stable housing prices of any major US city, from everything I've seen.

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#154
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Oh. Do say more. People don't want to work hard because, in general, people don't like to work.

Your fable states that there is a time for work and a time for play, and contrasts a worker that did nothing vs workers that did work and can survive. The premise of the relevant discussion is that the marginal value of additional work and wages beyond the basic requirements is largely nothing. You cannot accrue meaningful savings, but still probably have enough disposable income to live comfortably enough, so it’s j…

And the point of the fable is that the ants understand that the marginal value of working now includes future benefits, whereas the grasshopper doesn't. The original comment doesn't really seem worth debating. People would rather work less because they ascribe greater value to their contribution than potential employers. Fine.

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#155

Young people don't want to work hard because there's little incentive. No matter how hard you work, unless you're in the top 5%, you're far priced out of most places most people want to live. You can afford everything comfortably beside housing & health care (which you don't need much of when you're young) on a relatively low wage in the US. So you've pretty much given up on housing. What's the point in working hard?

Peasants under Feudalism had zero hope progressing. Upward mobility is probably something every generation has complained about throughout history. Economic nihilism isn’t the answer. Our future generations count on us to improve whatever cards we’re dealt

Eh, the default is usually society unrest with the hopeless defaulting to war and civil war, so that improvement window is tiny and closing.

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#157

Young people don't want to work hard because there's little incentive. No matter how hard you work, unless you're in the top 5%, you're far priced out of most places most people want to live. You can afford everything comfortably beside housing & health care (which you don't need much of when you're young) on a relatively low wage in the US. So you've pretty much given up on housing. What's the point in working hard?

It's not for everybody, but if you can find a way to not play the rigged game, you can get ahead. I moved from a high cost of living city in North America to Latin America. I bought a two floor penthouse overlooking the ocean for less than the price of a two bedroom apartment back where I came from. My mortgage is -$2000 / month. That's right, negative $2000 because I save the full mortgage payment plus an extra $200…

Your solution is to be the top 5% in some other cheaper economy while continuing to get paid a US comp package. Not sure how that's better. In fact, this is exactly the thing that's going to drive down all of our comp over time. If you can work effectively in Costa Rica, why won't I just hire good English-speaking talent in Costa Rica (more likely Brazil) at a tenth of your expected comp?

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm Australian but have lived in Europe for a long time. When I begin to consider moving back, one of the things that puts me off is that 4 weeks is pretty much universal in Australia, plus in Australia I think it's pretty standard to have a fixed number of days you're allowed to be sick. I'm too used to having 6 weeks holidays and essentially unlimited sick leave (as long as it's legitimately required). It's a more…

as far as worker rights go, i think australian workers have it better than in most countries. in places in eu like austria you even have "sicky police" that go to check up on you when you are sick. lol i dont think something like this would fly in 'straya. to be clear im not talking about full on compo and insurance companies hiring private investigators. im talking about calling your boss and telling him/her that yo…

>in places in eu like austria you even have "sicky police" that go to check up on you when you are sick. lol i dont think something like this would fly in 'straya.

Pretty much yeah. Austria (the Mozart one, not the kangaroo one) has in general pretty terrible workers' rights and benefits compared to most other wealthy EU countries, unless you work for some government institution or some big and wealthy Metall unionized company.

Sure, it looks good on paper from the outside, but in practice it's not that great, it's just good PR.

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#159
Here is one thing about 4 day week that opens eyes. If you are let's say 35 and hope to retire at 60, switching to a 4 day week could save you about 1,300 workdays—that's, roughly 3.5 years.

The 5-minute window where my funny 4 day week calculator will shine: https://okjob.io/4-day-week-calculator/

Re: Young people would sacrifice other perks for a 4-day workweek

#160
post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not for everybody, but if you can find a way to not play the rigged game, you can get ahead. I moved from a high cost of living city in North America to Latin America. I bought a two floor penthouse overlooking the ocean for less than the price of a two bedroom apartment back where I came from. My mortgage is -$2000 / month. That's right, negative $2000 because I save the full mortgage payment plus an extra $200…

Your solution is to be the top 5% in some other cheaper economy while continuing to get paid a US comp package. Not sure how that's better. In fact, this is exactly the thing that's going to drive down all of our comp over time. If you can work effectively in Costa Rica, why won't I just hire good English-speaking talent in Costa Rica (more likely Brazil) at a tenth of your expected comp?

> Not sure how that's better.

It's a lot better for me personally!

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