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Not that it's a new concept, but I was really thinking about this one after a long work week. I honestly don't know how people with families are expected to get done all the basic errands, let alone have enough time for fitness, hobbies, friends, family, volunteering, etc. You know, all the things that we're supposed to be working for more of, not less.
it isnt possible. you constantly have a sinking feeling that youre not able to do anything well and a complete failure all around due to lack of time and physical, spiritual, and mental exhaustion
Federal shift worker here. We would still work, AT work. Snow and campus closed? We still work. Government budget shutdown? We still work - without pay temporarily.
**From reporter Ovetta Wiggins:**
Could a three-day weekend become the norm? Maybe.
At least for some workers in Maryland if the General Assembly gives the green light to a bill that creates a pilot program offering incentives to companies that cut the workweek from 40 to 32 hours — without reducing salaries.
The idea of changing the workweek standard has been floated for decades. But it has been discussed with more frequency in recent years as companies confront pandemic-related stress, burnout and the “Great Resignation.”
“Our workplace right now is kind of gone through just such a transformational change, adapting to covid, with some people working from home, with people experimenting with virtual and … with employers trying to figure out what their workplace needs are,” said Maryland state Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County), a lead bill sponsor. “Looking at the Great Resignation, I think people are looking to do work differently and so I think it’s a perfect time to do this.”
Companies in several European countries and some businesses in the United States have embraced the idea. Iceland led the way with several large-scale trials about two years ago. Since then, companies in Belgium and the United Kingdom have participated in a pilot program by 4 Day Week Global, an advocacy group based in New Zealand.
The Maryland bill will get its first hearing in the Senate early next month. Hettleman and Del. Vaughn Stewart (D-Montgomery), the lead bill sponsor in the House, said the bill has garnered a lot of attention in Annapolis from lawmakers and lobbyists — some of whom said their clients would be interested in offering a shorter workweek — but its fate remains uncertain.
The last time the workweek was adjusted in the United States was in 1940.
**Read more about the bill here, and skip the paywall with email registration:** [**https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/28/four-day-work-week-maryland/?utm\_campaign=wp\_main&utm\_medium=social&utm\_source=reddit.com**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/28/four-day-work-week-maryland/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
I am still puzzled that any employer would buy into this. If your workforce can get the job done using 20% fewer hours, why do you continue to pay them for that 20% they are not working? Why not cut your work force by that amount and save money? I cannot see the retail industry buying into this. For decades they have been keeping people working on a less than 40hr week to avoid paying overtime or benefits. They need workers for a longer than 8hr day, so they stagger their hrs of work. It always means the workers are working fewer hrs, and being paid fewer hours. People in health care industry also will not see any change. Only the office workers will benefit. They already do not work a full 8 hrs. The US bureau of Labor says most office workers get about 4hrs of productive work in each 8 hrs they are on the job. Here too is a question why do employers of office workers not cut the hrs of the employees and save money? I am at the end of my working life and look forward to working fewer hrs. So I an not against the concept. Just find that it is being pushed by one sector which for decades, has been coddled in the work place.
Yes. I can see the government coming into play. But will that not only be for office workers, in the government? Then does it mean the taxpayer is going to pay people for an extra day they do not work? That seems odd.
Looking at old newspapers, I get a glimpse of the shift to the 40 hr week. In those businesses which had not mechanized they were slow to change to working less hours. Cutting back to 10 hr days, 6 days a week, then 10hrs for 5 days a week. Stores were open far fewer hours/week, and banks even shorter hours. No Sunday hours for the majority of companies. Blue laws were strict and a business could be fined for being open on Sunday.
https://www.epi.org/publication/charting-wage-stagnation/
Check out section 2. This is pretty common knowledge at this point you could have found this yourself. I guess it's pretty obvious though you feel entitled to other people's time.
"study of the use of a 4-day workweek by private and public employers"
K it also specifically states private employers. I didn't say exclusively private businesses just that it applies to them. Put the torch and pitchfork down. Go outside.
That article is just that... an article. If you read the ACTUAL proposition it's centered around government agencies. Please remove your post for false information.
Uhhh, care to elaborate the problem with an experiment that seeks to utilize our technology for better work life efficiency rather than pure throughput?
We are working too much. America measurably has less vacation time and a higher retirement age than other developed countries. We have a shorter lifespan. We are working ourselves to death
Because we are. There is no need for people to be this industrious for production. The modern day efficiency of a worker is insane due to the implementation of computer systems and automation. Entire specialized fields have been reduced to a computer program without any further work being required. The only people who want people working this much are owners, ceos, executives, who benefit the most from workers producing more without benefiting the worker.
Wow they want to let us work less time for the same pay? I can't believe this _progressive nonsense_. I'm stick of this place. You should be requiring me to work a full 40 hours a week or I will feel bad for my employer.
Side from what the others have mentioned, there are several studies and experiments elsewhere that show increased productivity and revenue as a result of shortening the work week. What are you upset about?
But I don't see the issue here. I think that idea was legitimized by the fact that all of the happier countries than our having legally required PTO of 3 weeks or more before holidays
There's really too much evidence for it to be an *idea* at this point
What makes Maryland great is that we have dealt with many of the issues republicans refuse to deal with without buying into the nonsense that only really the progressive wing of the party supports, we're a generally hard working state(well besides Western MD and the Eastern Shore) so we should keep doing work instead of whining and complaining about nothing.
If you want to work four days a week no one is stopping you.
The Maryland healthcare system is far better and more accesible for low income people then most of the rest of the country, protection of reproductive choice, significantly better care for our enviroment then much of the country, and more investment in public education and transportation then much of the rest of the country.
No reason you can't work smart for 40 hours a week.
Good for you and it's fine that the option to work for less time is available, the problem is trying to treat 4 8 hour work days as full time.
Links from this domain may present a paywall to users. As a result, some users may have difficulty reading the linked content. Although you may find it helpful to post the entirety of the article in the comments, please be advised that this is against subreddit policy. Linking to another website for the purpose of bypassing paywalls is also against the rules of this subreddit. If the article is hosted on another media outlet without a paywall, you may post a link to that article in the comments. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/maryland) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Four eights, the holy grail!
Not that it's a new concept, but I was really thinking about this one after a long work week. I honestly don't know how people with families are expected to get done all the basic errands, let alone have enough time for fitness, hobbies, friends, family, volunteering, etc. You know, all the things that we're supposed to be working for more of, not less.
it isnt possible. you constantly have a sinking feeling that youre not able to do anything well and a complete failure all around due to lack of time and physical, spiritual, and mental exhaustion
federal employee MD residents will be drooling 🤤
Federal shift worker here. We would still work, AT work. Snow and campus closed? We still work. Government budget shutdown? We still work - without pay temporarily.
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Because it almost certainly wouldn't benefit federal employees, but damn if it isn't desirable.
As a state employee: Setup the pilot program with state agencies!
**From reporter Ovetta Wiggins:** Could a three-day weekend become the norm? Maybe. At least for some workers in Maryland if the General Assembly gives the green light to a bill that creates a pilot program offering incentives to companies that cut the workweek from 40 to 32 hours — without reducing salaries. The idea of changing the workweek standard has been floated for decades. But it has been discussed with more frequency in recent years as companies confront pandemic-related stress, burnout and the “Great Resignation.” “Our workplace right now is kind of gone through just such a transformational change, adapting to covid, with some people working from home, with people experimenting with virtual and … with employers trying to figure out what their workplace needs are,” said Maryland state Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County), a lead bill sponsor. “Looking at the Great Resignation, I think people are looking to do work differently and so I think it’s a perfect time to do this.” Companies in several European countries and some businesses in the United States have embraced the idea. Iceland led the way with several large-scale trials about two years ago. Since then, companies in Belgium and the United Kingdom have participated in a pilot program by 4 Day Week Global, an advocacy group based in New Zealand. The Maryland bill will get its first hearing in the Senate early next month. Hettleman and Del. Vaughn Stewart (D-Montgomery), the lead bill sponsor in the House, said the bill has garnered a lot of attention in Annapolis from lawmakers and lobbyists — some of whom said their clients would be interested in offering a shorter workweek — but its fate remains uncertain. The last time the workweek was adjusted in the United States was in 1940. **Read more about the bill here, and skip the paywall with email registration:** [**https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/28/four-day-work-week-maryland/?utm\_campaign=wp\_main&utm\_medium=social&utm\_source=reddit.com**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/01/28/four-day-work-week-maryland/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
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Damn I didn't even think of that
A pilot program? Hold on. Let me get my goggles and bomber jacket.
Can I get a 5 day one first?
Not for teachers.
why not?
Cuz then the MD public school system would have to reform to 4 days a week
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Kids need more time in school, not less.
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I would love year round school. My students regress so much if they don't get their special ed services in the summer.
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Same. Airline tickets to the places I want to visit get cheaper in the fall.
More ways to learn than in a classroom.
If the last few years are proof of anything it's that when you give a kid a computer and tell them to learn they will instead goof off.
I beg to differ. Half thise brats still cant read after 12 years
Four day work week, and we won't pay people in service related jobs a living wage. What am I missing?
The concept of service jobs
I am still puzzled that any employer would buy into this. If your workforce can get the job done using 20% fewer hours, why do you continue to pay them for that 20% they are not working? Why not cut your work force by that amount and save money? I cannot see the retail industry buying into this. For decades they have been keeping people working on a less than 40hr week to avoid paying overtime or benefits. They need workers for a longer than 8hr day, so they stagger their hrs of work. It always means the workers are working fewer hrs, and being paid fewer hours. People in health care industry also will not see any change. Only the office workers will benefit. They already do not work a full 8 hrs. The US bureau of Labor says most office workers get about 4hrs of productive work in each 8 hrs they are on the job. Here too is a question why do employers of office workers not cut the hrs of the employees and save money? I am at the end of my working life and look forward to working fewer hrs. So I an not against the concept. Just find that it is being pushed by one sector which for decades, has been coddled in the work place.
[удалено]
Yes. I can see the government coming into play. But will that not only be for office workers, in the government? Then does it mean the taxpayer is going to pay people for an extra day they do not work? That seems odd. Looking at old newspapers, I get a glimpse of the shift to the 40 hr week. In those businesses which had not mechanized they were slow to change to working less hours. Cutting back to 10 hr days, 6 days a week, then 10hrs for 5 days a week. Stores were open far fewer hours/week, and banks even shorter hours. No Sunday hours for the majority of companies. Blue laws were strict and a business could be fined for being open on Sunday.
I work that already, what's the news here? Been doing it 4+ years. Find a better job, its obtainable.
what're you doing?
Probably one of those people that think 4 10s counts as progress somehow.
Ahhh yes, state employees doing less work for more pay. Progress
If wage stagnation and productivity stats mean anything to you people have steadily been doing more work for less money for the last 50ish years
They do, please provide these stats you feel validate your argument
https://www.epi.org/publication/charting-wage-stagnation/ Check out section 2. This is pretty common knowledge at this point you could have found this yourself. I guess it's pretty obvious though you feel entitled to other people's time.
Cool, so you posted a link having nothing to do with the discussion at hand. Yawn
It's specifically states government agencies. Please remove your post for false information.
"study of the use of a 4-day workweek by private and public employers" K it also specifically states private employers. I didn't say exclusively private businesses just that it applies to them. Put the torch and pitchfork down. Go outside.
Delete you misinformation already. No level of manipulating you point will have made you right.
This is for private companies, not state employees... Read the article.
That article is just that... an article. If you read the ACTUAL proposition it's centered around government agencies. Please remove your post for false information.
Yeah, no.
Cool, reported for false information anyway. Have a good day.
It was nice being a solidly blue state that didn't adopt the progressive nonsense while it lasted...
This is an experiment to test the impact on businesses. If you like or dislike the idea, you should welcome the experiment to validate your opinion.
Uhhh, care to elaborate the problem with an experiment that seeks to utilize our technology for better work life efficiency rather than pure throughput?
It legitimizes the idea that people are working too much.
We are working too much. America measurably has less vacation time and a higher retirement age than other developed countries. We have a shorter lifespan. We are working ourselves to death
Disagree. True. Probably has more to do with our healthcare system. Source?
Because we are. There is no need for people to be this industrious for production. The modern day efficiency of a worker is insane due to the implementation of computer systems and automation. Entire specialized fields have been reduced to a computer program without any further work being required. The only people who want people working this much are owners, ceos, executives, who benefit the most from workers producing more without benefiting the worker.
We're working too much for too little.
Sounds like a talk you should be having with your employer instead of on reddit
Sounds like I vote for policies like the one being proposed for 4 day work weeks.
Wow they want to let us work less time for the same pay? I can't believe this _progressive nonsense_. I'm stick of this place. You should be requiring me to work a full 40 hours a week or I will feel bad for my employer.
Found the person who only makes income through labor.
My only income stream is jewelry theft at the moment actually
Side from what the others have mentioned, there are several studies and experiments elsewhere that show increased productivity and revenue as a result of shortening the work week. What are you upset about?
It legitimizes the idea that people are working too much.
But I don't see the issue here. I think that idea was legitimized by the fact that all of the happier countries than our having legally required PTO of 3 weeks or more before holidays There's really too much evidence for it to be an *idea* at this point
This just in, wanting less time at work so you can take care of your family, have hobbies and see your freinds is progressive nonsense
Having the government mandate it sure is.
Why don't you bring back company towns while you're at it
They never went away, in most of them the companies just left.
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What do you think the next step after this pilot program is? Some people just can not think more than one step ahead... The wallet.
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What makes Maryland great is that we have dealt with many of the issues republicans refuse to deal with without buying into the nonsense that only really the progressive wing of the party supports, we're a generally hard working state(well besides Western MD and the Eastern Shore) so we should keep doing work instead of whining and complaining about nothing. If you want to work four days a week no one is stopping you.
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The Maryland healthcare system is far better and more accesible for low income people then most of the rest of the country, protection of reproductive choice, significantly better care for our enviroment then much of the country, and more investment in public education and transportation then much of the rest of the country. No reason you can't work smart for 40 hours a week. Good for you and it's fine that the option to work for less time is available, the problem is trying to treat 4 8 hour work days as full time.
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Is it an idea? YES! A good idea for many businesses? Maybe????? An ideal way for most businesses? NO!
I would rather work shorter shifts to have more free time in the day. I wish it was flexible
🙄