A Four Day Work Week

[Calgaryborn]

I wonder if it isn't time for the powers that be to look at changing the work week to four ten hour days. I've always thought it would be good for families. Three day weekends would give busy families more time to unwind and do things together. Given the price of fuel and the congestion in many cities a four day work week would also give us some immediate relief without too much pain.

Now I know that many businesses couldn't do this. A lot of industries need to run 24 hours a day to be competitive on the global stage. I'm not suggesting that any of this be imposed on private industry. What the government could do is move most government services and crown corporations to the four day work week. Departments could divide their workforce in half. Giving half of them Friday off and the other half Monday off. Schools that have school bus routes could be moved to four days schedules with Fridays being the day off . Consideration would naturally be given to families so that those with children would have Fridays off as well. The fact that schools were on the four day week would move many private employers to follow suit.

So what do you think?

[ken0042]

We work 9 hour days Monday to Thursday giving us almost every 2nd Friday off. The Fridays we do work are only 8 hours. (Works out to 80 hours every 2 weeks.)

It's great for single people, but once you add in lunch (30 minutes) and commute time I'm away from the house for 11-12 hours. That means no seeing the kids off to school, and if you have young kids that means almost no time before they go to bed.

[JiriHrdina]

It's becoming a little more common now to offer a 4 day work week. The company I work for offers it to a good chunk of their staff during the summer.

It's a good way for companies to differentiate themselves.

For some candidates money is the big factor, but for many a 4 day work week would be very attractive.

I don't think it's something you can mandate though. Just let it happen naturally.

[Flames in 07]

If you like working 4 days a week go work at Encana

[Calgaryborn]

Basically I'm suggesting the government(Provincial and Federal) mandate it for their massive work forces. With government services like schools and post offices following a four day work week many businesses would do the same.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

I think it's a good idea. More leisure time=more productive workers and happier families. Plus, you could actually reduce unemployment by moving to a 7 day shared work week, which might increase productivity even more overall.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Basically I'm suggesting the government(Provincial and Federal) mandate it for their massive work forces. With government services like schools and post offices following a four day work week many businesses would do the same.

That's tough to do, then you have a less productive work force, employers will move away to the extent they can to find a more productive employee base.

[macker]

I am lucky if I get 4 solid days of work in per week!

[edn88]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

If you like working 4 days a week go work at Encana

EnCana is actually 8.5 hour days with first and third Friday's off

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by edn88

EnCana is actually 8.5 hour days with first and third Friday's off

plus two hundred vacation days a year right?

[FireFly]

Originally Posted by Calgaryborn

Basically I'm suggesting the government(Provincial and Federal) mandate it for their massive work forces. With government services like schools and post offices following a four day work week many businesses would do the same.

I see where you're going, and I kinda like it... If schools had the same hours, parents would have the same hours. Those who want to can work in the 24 hour places. Really, that would be a huge benefit to society... parents at home is a good thing.

[Calgaryborn]

It would be good for families. A two parent family with both parents working could theoretically have to only pay for babysitters three days a week. And there would be two days with both parents home still. Single parents would have one less day of babysitters and three full days with their kids.

Mondays and Fridays you would see significantly reduced rush hours which would save fuel and of course everyone would save driving into work one day less a week. An extra day off might mean more driving around more for some but, at least it would be optional.

[ResAlien]

I'm not a huge fan. Did the 4 day work week for quite some time, and the four days you work are shot. 11 hour workday, straight to bed when you get home, right back up and back to work. No family time at all to speak of. The three days in a row is nice, but I'd rather have evenings and two days a week with my family.

[Locke]

I do believe that the 4 day work week is standard in some countries.

While the 4 day work week is enticing, for many years now I have been a huge proponent of Canada adopting the "Siesta Break."

Many very successful economic powerhouses like Spain, Mexico, Brazil, etc, believe in the power of the siesta break.

Imagine, if you will, arriving at work at 9, working in conditions bordering on criminal until the wee hour of 11, taking an hour for lunch until 12, continuing to slave in what would constitute hellish torture until the unbearable moment of 2, taking an hour or 2 for a nap, tearing yourself away from the horrible siesta anguish and working until 5 and going home.

I know it sounds like torture, but I for one think its a solid idea.

[Dion]

nm

[MelBridgeman]

I worked the 4 day work week at shaw.
I agree with ResAlien...it sucked. what ended up happening is you felt like all you did was work for 4 days straight, and your weekend didnt really get going until the second day..and by that time it was like F. back to 4 days of straight work...of course this was just my experience, and it depends on what you do...by the 4th day of work you were dreading it and it was tough to stay focus for the next 10.5 hrs...

[metallicat]

I work four 10s, and on Friday I work 8 hours. It gives me 8 hours of OT per week, but I would much rather have the day off.

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

plus two hundred vacation days a year right?

and barbecued unicorn on the second wednesday of every month!

[Rhettzky]

The city of Calgary operates on a RAWW (something something work week) schedule, with the option for some departments to work on a CWW (Compressed Work Week).

I'll try to explain how it works, keep in mind city employees typically work 35hr work weeks. I'm currently on the RAWW which means I work 7.5hr days and get every third friday off. It works out to 18 additional days off per year. I'd like to be on the CWW and work 7.75hr days and get every second friday off, which works out to 26 additional days off per year. However, I can't get on it until our department gets approval to switch to that schedule. There is also a modified option of the CWW schedule where you work 4 day work weeks and work 8.75hr days but I'm not sure if that's an option to union staff or just management.

So far I love the RAWW days off. I can do so much stuff with my kids that I hesitate to do on weekends because of crowds. We hit the zoo, movies, water parks, malls, etc. and it's great to have no lines and space. It's also a great time to run errands, shop and other stuff that can't happen on weekends due to bank hours or, again, crowds.

[GreenLantern]

I have heard rumours in the past that other countries, especially in Europe, like the 30 hour work weeks. I heard that Germany does this, it might have even been on this board, can anyone confirm that?

If so.. I need to live there.