How Practical Would It Be To Work Just

[emmie]

four days a week, as suggested by the Labour party, I know some like myself are retired, but how would it work in practice.

[dannyk13]

It would cause a lot of problems to employers, especially the emergency services.

[maggiebee]

My son-in-law is thinking of a 3/4 day week in the future. He is well paid and no longer hs a mortgage and the children are grown up. Not sure how it will work but it is certainly something he is going to investigate next year.

[ummmm]

I was watching a programme this morning. In America the emergency services work 24 hour shifts. 1 day on 2 days off. I'm not sure I would want to be treated by a paramedic who had been working for the previous 23 hours.

[emmie]

maggie, he is just one, the millions who work probably can't afford to take an extra day off work. Think of the productivity lost. Some businesses or maybe many would fold. The emergency services can't be included in that scenario. It seems so airy fairy.

[hc4361]

4 x 10 hour days or 3 x 12 hours is how some emergency services work as well as shop staff and I see nothing wrong with that. No drop in productivity, less commuting time. Usually done on a rotating shift so the week starts Monday on week 1, Tuesday on week 2 etc so all 7 days get covered.
I'm all for it.

[naomi24]

More carrots for donkeys.

[pixie374]

I've seen this mentioned, in theory- but not the actual details, so I'm not sure....
Will people earn less? Does it mean everyone has to job share? Or is it just for Monday-Friday office workers.
It is hard to tell, why or how this would be a good thing.

[aelmpvw]

and we'll be able to spend the extra day off on the free internet if we want, happy days

[davebro]

How would it work in practice? People would work 4 days a week at normal hourly rate then 1 or 2 days at time & 1/2 or double time pay.

[emmie]

ael yes indeed free internet, sounds cool.......

[pixie374]

Ah, I'm in then! They will pay for me to have a day off?

[pixie374]

Right... thanks, Dave.......

[emmie]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/50405068

[emmie]

business would fall by the wayside pixie, why should a company pay for you to have an extra day off.

[Ken4155]

I used to work just 4 nights per week. Mon - Thurs, 10 hour shifts. Sometimes Fri night as overtime if any big orders were in.

[emmie]

Labour is apparently split over this, what a surprise.

[pixie374]

Well, exactly... I work for myself, so how would it help me or the clients? Will they receive extra payments to cover the extra prices? I can't see how it would work in real life.

[emmie]

pixie, by and large it won't. Admittedly we used to work 5 1/2 days a week once, and some worked longer than that, but in a modern day society i think Monday to Friday acceptable.

[TonyV]

emmie I used to work a 4 & half day week, but the factory ran 24 7 with 3 shifts and with weekend cover for people that didn't want the overtime.

[emmie]

tonyv can see how it could work for some, but by and large i think it's impractical.