Not so long ago, people thought that a ten-hour, six-day week was normal; now, it’s the eight-hour, five-day week. Will that soon be history too?
In this book, three leading experts argue why it should be. They map out a pragmatic pathway to a shorter working week that safeguards earnings for the lower-paid and keeps the economy flourishing. They argue that this radical vision will give workers time to be better parents and carers, allow men and women to share paid and unpaid work more equally, and help to save jobs - and create new ones - in the post-pandemic era. Not only that, but it will combat stress and illness caused by overwork and help to protect the environment.
This is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt they could live and work a lot better if all weekends were three days long.Table of Contents
1 IntroductionWhere did ‘normal’ come from?
Economic developments
Cultural developments
We can change what is ‘normal’
Notes
2 Why We Need a Shorter Working Week
Health and wellbeing
Distributions of work and time
Paid and unpaid labour
Gender relations
Transforming childcare
Co-producing public services
Taking control and enriching democracy
Safeguarding the environment
Notes
3 Some Challenges
Will a shorter working week mean that people can’t choose?
Is leisure more sustainable?
What about pay?
Is a shorter working week bad for the economy?
Rethinking the goals of the economy
Notes
4 Learning from Practical Experience
State-led interventions
Negotiated agreements at sector and workplace levels
Employers’ initiatives
Learning from practical experience
Notes
5 A Road Map for Transition
Preparing the ground
Supporting innovation
Strengthening and extending existing entitlements
Changing the climate of opinion
Embedding change and building momentum
Notes
In Conclusion
Index
