Post ATxjbgzUtUmUIUt7pY by bencourtice@aus.social
 (DIR) More posts by bencourtice@aus.social
 (DIR) Post #ATxUlXJ6FqLjqZIDrM by johnquiggin@mstdn.social
       2023-03-25T01:26:23Z
       
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       Could a four-day workweek save the day? https://www.financialstandard.com.au/news/could-a-four-day-workweek-save-the-day-179798919
       
 (DIR) Post #ATxjbgzUtUmUIUt7pY by bencourtice@aus.social
       2023-03-25T04:12:39Z
       
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       @johnquiggin I am very much in favour. But there's a version I've seen argued that workers will be more productive per hour, and easily do the same amount of work in 4 days. This may be true of some intellectual labour, as you can only push your brain so hard, staying back late doesn't always show extra results. But many more menial/manual jobs can't be rationalised like that. Deliveries, call centres, construction etc just take the time that they take. For casual workers, a 4 day week could mean getting their hours cut while being worked harder. I think a call for a shorter work week needs some qualification, eg no loss in net pay, no speed-ups.
       
 (DIR) Post #ATxr6OoNEZTAZTH4bI by johnquiggin@mstdn.social
       2023-03-25T05:36:40Z
       
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       @bencourtice  The "5 days work in 4" pitch is important to get employers to sign on to voluntary trials. And much of the extra productivity comes from fewer sickies and reduced turnover, which would be generally applicable.But ultimately we need to take some productivity gains as more free time rather than higher incomes.
       
 (DIR) Post #ATy9e4OlQyJSHXV6pM by bencourtice@aus.social
       2023-03-25T09:04:24Z
       
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       @johnquiggin I see shorter work week as being more use for wealth redistribution and curtailing the rule of capital over our lives than for productvity sharing. Productivity is the logic of capital, surely there are better ways forward.