A 4 day week

blackcard · 06-10-2018 9:06pm #1

We went from a 6 day week to a 5 1/2 day week to most people working a 5 day week. With automation and higher productivity, we could be headed for a 4 day week. What effect will this have on society? Short trips abroad? More drinking? Will we be happier? Will we have enough money?

Water John · 06-10-2018 9:10pm

Nurses work a 4 day week (long days) with many years. Do they drink too much?

nlrkjos · 06-10-2018 9:23pm

I work a 2 week on 4 week off rotation ! 2 weeks on is full on..12-15 hour shifts for 14 days or nights...28 days off is pure delight though, catch up on biking...hiking...drinking and a bit of "hows yer father" time off is all important, I'd say a 4 day week would be OK if the money is OK, problem is you have an extra day to spend it!

Eggs For Dinner · 06-10-2018 9:26pm

I work a 4 day week. Hoping to go 3 days shortly. My time is more important to me than money

arainagusime · 06-10-2018 9:37pm

nlrkjos wrote: »

I work a 2 week on 4 week off rotation ! 2 weeks on is full on..12-15 hour shifts for 14 days or nights...28 days off is pure delight though, catch up on biking...hiking...drinking and a bit of "hows yer father" time off is all important, I'd say a 4 day week would be OK if the money is OK, problem is you have an extra day to spend it!

Interesting. What line of work are you in

engiweirdo · 06-10-2018 9:40pm

nlrkjos wrote: »

I work a 2 week on 4 week off rotation ! 2 weeks on is full on..12-15 hour shifts for 14 days or nights...28 days off is pure delight though, catch up on biking...hiking...drinking and a bit of "hows yer father" time off is all important, I'd say a 4 day week would be OK if the money is OK, problem is you have an extra day to spend it!

Sounds deadly. You work in mining/offshore work?

2ygb4cmqetsjhx · 06-10-2018 9:44pm

I am starting to work a 35 hour week in January. Can't wait. Also get paid overtime. I get 30 days annual leave and every minute I work over 35 hours is given as further annual leave. It works on a clock in clock out system. The guys working there told me productivity increased when they switched to 35-hour contracts.

Water John · 06-10-2018 9:54pm

The NZ Co that trialled a four day week (32 hours) have decided to switch to it.

nlrkjos · 06-10-2018 9:55pm

engiweirdo wrote: »

Sounds deadly. You work in mining/offshore work?

Yeah , offshore oil/gas in Norway.

Hector Bellend · 06-10-2018 10:59pm

more time for masturbation

Water John · 06-10-2018 11:01pm

Hector you can do that sitting at the office desk, multi tasking.

Junkyard Tom · 06-10-2018 11:06pm

When I was a kid they were predicting a much-reduced working week. One earner used to be able to provide a home, car and summer holiday. Something went badly wrong along the way.

Water John · 06-10-2018 11:16pm

The wealth boys saw this and decided they'd have more of the cake.

Poor Uncle Tom · 06-10-2018 11:40pm

When social media, texts, phone calls and home research is taken into account the week is actually a 3 day week anyway.....

Poor Uncle Tom · 06-10-2018 11:42pm

Water John wrote: »

The wealth boys? .

What? who?

06-10-2018 11:44pm

I'd rather work three 12-hour days than five 8-hour days (and lose the 3 hours pay).

I used to do security and it was three 12-hour shifts, alternating with four 12-hour shifts (week of 3, week of 4). Loved it.

Canis Lupus · 06-10-2018 11:57pm

4 on and 4 off for me. Long aul days at work but the pay off is so worth it. Would struggle going back to a 'standard' working week.

nlrkjos · 07-10-2018 12:14am

Hector Bellend wrote: »

more time for masturbation

yep...time off is time off, even pulling the handle from your stomach can be enjoyable once you get paid for it !!!:D:D:D

gw80 · 07-10-2018 1:28am

nlrkjos wrote: »

Yeah , offshore oil/gas in Norway.

Bit off topic but, I heard it was hard to get into the Norwegian sector? The reason I ask is I have the MIST, BOSIET, AND CAEBS, for the British sector but I never got a chance to get out, bad timing, it's up for renewal next year, am wondering would I be better off trying to get into the Norwegian sector instead,

Adyx · 07-10-2018 5:09am

I'm only rostered for one shift a week(maybe 1 other depending on how busy it is) , after that I work to my own schedule, as long as all my work gets done. Usually, I work it so I've at least 3 days off a week. Kind of an odd situation considering I work in hospitality.

physioman · 07-10-2018 5:32am

Water John wrote: »

Nurses work a 4 day week (long days) with many years. Do they drink too much?

Short answer yes. Use to live with some. They would have a bottle of wine every night.

Wanderer78 · 07-10-2018 6:00am

Until we figure out workable ways of distributing wealth more evenly, this is a none runner

EPAndlee · 07-10-2018 6:15am

Reading this thread has me thinking why am I working 6 days like a fool

Pkiernan · 07-10-2018 6:15am

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Until we figure out workable ways of distributing wealth more evenly, this is a none runner

There's already far too much dole in tis country.
How about redistributing responsibility instead?

Wanderer78 · 07-10-2018 6:30am

Pkiernan wrote:

There's already far too much dole in tis country. How about redistributing responsibility instead?

The root causes of unemployment is highly complex, particularly long term unemployment

NIMAN · 07-10-2018 6:54am

physioman wrote: »

Short answer yes. Use to live with some. They would have a bottle of wine every night.

Strange to judge every nurse out there on a few you used to share a house with.

Del2005 · 07-10-2018 7:22am

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

When I was a kid they were predicting a much-reduced working week. One earner used to be able to provide a home, car and summer holiday. Something went badly wrong along the way.

Women started working outside the home and when their income was combined with their partners they could spend more, so because they could spend more the cost of things with limited supply went up. When I was young nearly all mothers worked in the home and a single income could provide. Since women entered the workforce a single income struggles to provide.

Unintended consequences of women entering the workforce is now they don't have a choice but to enter the workforce.

HIB · 07-10-2018 7:38am

Del2005 wrote: »

Women started working outside the home and when their income was combined with their partners they could spend more, so because they could spend more the cost of things with limited supply went up. When I was young nearly all mothers worked in the home and a single income could provide. Since women entered the workforce a single income struggles to provide.

Unintended consequences of women entering the workforce is now they don't have a choice but to enter the workforce.

That’s so true. Charlie mcreevys tax individualization scheme in the early 2000’s also didn’t help. It penalizes any family who decides to have just one income.

CalamariFritti · 07-10-2018 7:50am

Pkiernan wrote: »

There's already far too much dole in tis country.
How about redistributing responsibility instead?

The point made is a different one though. With all the increase in productivity and automation increasing all the time you would think individual workload has to be going down. Has to be.
But unfortunately all that increased productivity has been sucked up into just more profits for a small elite. And the remaining workforce has been asked to prop up the folks out of work with ever increasing taxes. So far.

* And when I'm talking about the 'elite' I'm using that word in a macro sense, like the top 0.5% in the world or so. Lets not kid ourselves. The guy who's reasonably well off with his three apartments to lease is not what I'm talking about.

But anyway, something's gotta give and it will. And if not for the big revolution or anything, but for the simple fact that you can increase productivity all you like - if you want to keep making profits someone needs to be able to buy all that sh1te thats being produced.

The profit making elite will otherwise pull the rug from under themselves and thats if the pitchforks aren't out before it comes to that.

daheff · 07-10-2018 9:32am

Water John wrote: »

Nurses work a 4 day week (long days) with many years. Do they drink too much?

go to coppers some night & tell me

jellybellyelly · 07-10-2018 11:06am

I work a 3 day week - after my parents died in the last few years at reasonably young ages I thought life is too short to spend a whole heap of it at work if I don't have to. Financially where I am in my career makes living on a 3 day salary possible - I'll never be rich but I'm comfortable and I travel and spend time doing things I enjoy in the 4 days out of every 7 that I'm not in work.

I can't envisage myself ever looking back and regretting the decision.

Water John · 07-10-2018 11:32am

This is the NZ link. Similar to you Mr. S.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/no-downside-new-zealand-firm-adopts-four-day-week-after-successful-trial

People work long hours with little holidays in the US, but their productivity is pathetic.

nlrkjos · 07-10-2018 11:40am

gw80 wrote: »

Bit off topic but, I heard it was hard to get into the Norwegian sector? The reason I ask is I have the MIST, BOSIET, AND CAEBS, for the British sector but I never got a chance to get out, bad timing, it's up for renewal next year, am wondering would I be better off trying to get into the Norwegian sector instead,

None of the above are valid in Norwegian sector, there are a few differences but Norwegian companies insist on their own certs. What trade are you in ?...P.M and I can maybe point you in the right direction.

kneemos · 07-10-2018 1:52pm

Del2005 wrote: »

Women started working outside the home and when their income was combined with their partners they could spend more, so because they could spend more the cost of things with limited supply went up. When I was young nearly all mothers worked in the home and a single income could provide. Since women entered the workforce a single income struggles to provide.

Unintended consequences of women entering the workforce is now they don't have a choice but to enter the workforce.

One worker can still buy a house easily. Just not in Dublin.

Franz Von Peppercorn · 07-10-2018 1:56pm

Pkiernan wrote: »

There's already far too much dole in tis country.
How about redistributing responsibility instead?

Redistributing wealth != increasing the dole.

_Brian · 07-10-2018 3:40pm

I usually work from home on Fridays, it’s a loose affair and the flexibility is great. Not a 4 day week but close as I’ll get at the moment.

For 13 years I worked compressed cycle shifts, 3 days and 4 days each alternative week, sadly it also rotated nights/days every other month which was murder.

Neames · 07-10-2018 7:31pm

I like my job and work a 5 day week.

A colleague recently reduced his hours to a 4 day week, his work wasn't reduced though. He's more stressed out now than before and less well paid.

I'd like a 4 day week...but not one like his.

Harry Palmr · 07-10-2018 7:43pm

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

When I was a kid they were predicting a much-reduced working week. One earner used to be able to provide a home, car and summer holiday. Something went badly wrong along the way.

They also predicted the paperless office by the 21st century. Futurologists in "Futurologists can't see the future shock"

fatherted1969 · 07-10-2018 7:52pm

I work on a 28 day roster with 24hr shifts, 8 days going in at 11am, 8 days finished at 11am with another 12 full days off. Can be a balls if something comes up at very short notice and I can't swap but I love my time off

07-10-2018 7:55pm

Neames wrote: »

I like my job and work a 5 day week.

A colleague recently reduced his hours to a 4 day week, his work wasn't reduced though. He's more stressed out now than before and less well paid.

I'd like a 4 day week...but not one like his.

He is doing it wrong, most people who do a 3 or 4 day week stilll work the same/similar hours overall and get paid the same. Some even get paid the same for less hours, difference between a good employer and a bad one really.

honeybear · 07-10-2018 7:58pm

I know some teachers who jobshare-they work one week on/off and bec. of tax take home 60 pc of pay. They all love it - would love to be able to jobshare

kerryjack · 07-10-2018 8:01pm

All for it , looking for a bit of part time work myself. Hard for a man i think they look at you as if there is something wrong with you. lazy git .

Junkyard Tom · 08-10-2018 1:13am

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Until we figure out workable ways of distributing wealth more evenly, this is a none runner

It's more a case of reversing the upward distribution of wealth to the few I'd say, which people seem to think is natural when it's by design.

Harry Palmr wrote: »

They also predicted the paperless office by the 21st century. Futurologists in "Futurologists can't see the future shock"

Well if you consider email and word processing then there must have been an enormous reduction in the use of paper. There will always be a need for a hard paper trail, I think.

Water John · 08-10-2018 1:18am

Some always fear change. The paradox is that countries that focus on long hours at work have poor productivity. They don't seem to ask why? Would some other way of doing things work better?

Airyfairy12 · 08-10-2018 1:19am

Its a great idea, I remember reading ages ago about how shorter working weeks and shorter working hours creates higher productivity, less depression and stress related mental illness resulting in lower suicide rates, kids do better in school with shorter school days and longer weekends, they have more free time to play which is integral to kids mental, educational and social growth.

engiweirdo · 08-10-2018 6:32am

The problem here is we will always tend to ape broken policy from the UK/US rather than progressive European style policies. Irish employers would be more likely to move to a 50 hour week than 32.

Cookie_Monster · 08-10-2018 7:01am

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

When I was a kid they were predicting a much-reduced working week. One earner used to be able to provide a home, car and summer holiday. Something went badly wrong along the way.

Workers did their part, then got screwed...

US based graph but it cant be that much better elsewhere I reckon

Cookie_Monster · 08-10-2018 7:06am

Water John wrote: »

This is the NZ link. Similar to you Mr. S.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/no-downside-new-zealand-firm-adopts-four-day-week-after-successful-trial

People work long hours with little holidays in the US, but their productivity is pathetic.

NZ works a 42.5h week anyway though, vs 37.5 for most EU, so they're not really getting much better, just the same-ish as everywhere else over 4 instead of 5 days.

Sephiroth_dude · 08-10-2018 7:56am

nlrkjos wrote: »

I work a 2 week on 4 week off rotation ! 2 weeks on is full on..12-15 hour shifts for 14 days or nights...28 days off is pure delight though, catch up on biking...hiking...drinking and a bit of "hows yer father" time off is all important, I'd say a 4 day week would be OK if the money is OK, problem is you have an extra day to spend it!

I imagine that's a hard shift pattern but I'd love a work schedule like that.

Harry Palmr · 08-10-2018 8:16am

Would people be okay with 4 days of 10 hours? After all if you work 8 officially then is another two a very big deal?

blackcard · 08-10-2018 10:09pm

Water John wrote: »

Some always fear change. The paradox is that countries that focus on long hours at work have poor productivity. They don't seem to ask why? Would some other way of doing things work better?

On construction sites, workers would often be given a "job and finish" A job that might normally take 8 hours would be done in 5 hours. Everyone was happy. I think that most could achieve in 4 days what currently takes 5 days. A win for employers and employees

A 4 day week

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