I saw this opinion item by Noah Smith in the San Diego Union Tribune, originally from Bloomberg. The article points out that when people work fewer days they appear to be more productive, and maybe happier. I think this could have some public policy implications.
Working shorter hours may be able to improve productivity in some jobs. But other jobs required people to be in their position. For example, a security guard or a retail clerk needs to be at their position. Also, this article seems to ignore the possibility that the increase in productivity was due to the "Hawthorne Effect" where workers productivity improved when lighting was decreased, and it also increased when light was increased. It was then determined that the benefit was because the workers felt management was paying attention to their welfare.
In reality, many low-paying, boring, repetitive jobs are being replaced by technology. Jobs like librarian, music stores, book stores, key punch operators, bank check sorter/filers, newspaper delivery etc have been mostly replaced by technology. During the next decade, we expect that self-driving cars and trucks might eliminate those jobs. A lot of "fast food" ordering and production may be replaced by machinery and electronics.
As jobs are eliminated, it is likely that they will be replaced by other new jobs that we haven't even thought of yet. But I have the feeling that there might not be enough new jobs to absorb all of the labor that will be released by automation. If that does happen, the world has the choice of simply having many people sit idly by unemployed or find something for them to do. Another option would be to shorten the work week such that more people work, but they each work shorter hours.
The French achieved the first 12 hr day law in 1848, and the idea of a 10-hour day was raised in 1810. But the 8-hour work day, 40 hour/week concept became an international standard in 1919, and was gradually adopted throughout the world. Now 100 years later not much has changed! The definition of a work-week and "full time employment" affects how other employment benefits are distributed. Typically full-time employees receive medical, retirement and vacation benefits.
I propose that the US lead the way in passing legislation that lays out a plan for gradual reduction of the workweek definition. Hours beyond the limit would be compensated by overtime pay. Businesses need to be able to plan for the future. They make capital improvement plans, design facilities, and plan shift schedules based upon laws. Below is my proposal
Working shorter hours may be able to improve productivity in some jobs. But other jobs required people to be in their position. For example, a security guard or a retail clerk needs to be at their position. Also, this article seems to ignore the possibility that the increase in productivity was due to the "Hawthorne Effect" where workers productivity improved when lighting was decreased, and it also increased when light was increased. It was then determined that the benefit was because the workers felt management was paying attention to their welfare.
In reality, many low-paying, boring, repetitive jobs are being replaced by technology. Jobs like librarian, music stores, book stores, key punch operators, bank check sorter/filers, newspaper delivery etc have been mostly replaced by technology. During the next decade, we expect that self-driving cars and trucks might eliminate those jobs. A lot of "fast food" ordering and production may be replaced by machinery and electronics.
As jobs are eliminated, it is likely that they will be replaced by other new jobs that we haven't even thought of yet. But I have the feeling that there might not be enough new jobs to absorb all of the labor that will be released by automation. If that does happen, the world has the choice of simply having many people sit idly by unemployed or find something for them to do. Another option would be to shorten the work week such that more people work, but they each work shorter hours.
The French achieved the first 12 hr day law in 1848, and the idea of a 10-hour day was raised in 1810. But the 8-hour work day, 40 hour/week concept became an international standard in 1919, and was gradually adopted throughout the world. Now 100 years later not much has changed! The definition of a work-week and "full time employment" affects how other employment benefits are distributed. Typically full-time employees receive medical, retirement and vacation benefits.
I propose that the US lead the way in passing legislation that lays out a plan for gradual reduction of the workweek definition. Hours beyond the limit would be compensated by overtime pay. Businesses need to be able to plan for the future. They make capital improvement plans, design facilities, and plan shift schedules based upon laws. Below is my proposal
