this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Work Reform
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A place to discuss positive changes that can make work more equitable, and to vent about current practices. We are NOT against work; we just want the fruits of our labor to be recognized better.
Our Philosophies:
- All workers must be paid a living wage for their labor.
- Income inequality is the main cause of lower living standards.
- Workers must join together and fight back for what is rightfully theirs.
- We must not be divided and conquered. Workers gain the most when they focus on unifying issues.
Our Goals
- Higher wages for underpaid workers.
- Better worker representation, including but not limited to unions.
- Better and fewer working hours.
- Stimulating a massive wave of worker organizing in the United States and beyond.
- Organizing and supporting political causes and campaigns that put workers first.
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Some of the people at my workplace have a 4-day work week... 10 hours a day. Fuck that. I can barely make it through 8. That's what this will turn into if it gains steam in the U.S. because corporations wouldn't dare admit that people don't actually have to work 40 hours a week and still be very productive.
I used to do 4 10s, from 6am til 4pm. It wasn't horrible. But 4 8s would be so much better.
I do 4x10 and it’s a joy - for me. I can work from home when I want and 10 hours flies by when you know you have a 3 day weekend to look forward to at the end. I’m definitely more focused and productive.
Keep in mind the typical office commute can be very long. Let's say 1.5 hours each day (45 minutes there, 45 minutes back.)
8.5 hour day (unpaid 30 min lunch) + 1.5 hour commute = 10 hours from leaving home until arriving home. 5 days a week = 50 hours total for work in a 5 day work week.
10.5 hour day (unpaid 30 minute lunch) + 1.5 hour commute = 12 hours from leaving home until arriving home. 4 days a week = 48 hours total for work in a 4 day work week.
You work less. Odds are with a longer shift you also avoid rush hour on one side of it, so the 10 hour work week loses another hour or two. It's a BIG win. You get an extra 10 hours of fully conscious time on an extra day of the week which is HUGE for personal hobbies, enjoyment, family time - you name it. For me approaching 40, getting home from work I have almost no energy for personal activities after chores each day. Add on children and you get even less time aside from grinding.
Good news is that the 5 day work week will NEVER go away, so you will always have the choice of working five days and only getting two days off while your buddies take the extra day each week :)
If a ton of people take the 10x4 schedule, then there will just be a new rush hour. And the problem is working 10 hours a day, not working 4 days a week. This isn't the 19th century. The idea that we even need to work 40 hours a week is playing into the hands of the capitalist oligarchs. They want you to be happy dong 10x4 and not, for example, 8x4 or 6x5. They think the more you work, the more productive you are when that's utter bullshit and it just wears people out.
If there was a universal "Friday off for everyone" this could be possible but Saturdays and Sundays are work days for a big portion of people. I don't think it could ever happen, instead you'd just have schedules with coverage. Billy gets Monday off, Sally gets Tuesday off, etc etc.
I don't disagree that many jobs could easily be part time to the tune of 20hours/week or even less and be fine but if you're in any kind of critical role - take almost any job that was in person throughout the pandemic - there's just no way to not staff people during those hours.
If the idea of happy employees working short shifts or fewer days paid off for companies they would do it because money is #1. I don't want to kid anyone. The benefit here is employees at effectively no benefit to the employers, so they have zero incentive to do it even if it doesn't help them whatsoever. Already it's nearly impossible to accurately gauge performance in countless roles but the idea that an ass isn't in a chair is a hard habit to break for some people, my boss included.
I used to work 9:30a-8p four days a week and it was actually a pretty sweet gig. I did nothing but work and sleep for four days, then had three days off every weekend.
I did it for 4 years while my son was very young. I loved it and would return to it if not for school hours. 6am to 4pm worked really well and having 3 days off meant some great family time.
My wife did a 4 day week too and we offset our days so that our son only needed 3 days in daycare during the week.
I do 4 on 4 off, 4x12hr days then 4x12hr nights, the 4 off is excellent.
That would kill me.
I used to work 5x10hr and it was so much worse, currently I have 2 days off and then my weekend starts again.