Let me guess, the people who came up with this idea have never had a job that pays by the hour so how the hell can they claim it is going to boost the economy. They had already admitted that it means people will earn less which has the obvious knock on effect of them spending less and they announce this brilliant idea when we are apparently just managing to claw our way out of a recession. And as for the more free time for 'worthy activities' do you really think that the average person is going to use their 4 day weekend to do civic work or delay retirement? Lets be honest here, this is an attempt to lower the amount that is going to be needed to be paid in future pensions by moving us towards a higher retirement age.
Think tank. Jesus Christ!
The working week should be cut to 21 hours to help boost the economy and improve quality of life, a left-wing think tank has said.
The New Economics Foundation claimed in a report the reduction in hours would help to ease unemployment and overwork.
The think tank said people were working longer hours now than 30 years ago even though unemployment was at 2.5 million.
The foundation admitted people would earn less, but said they would have more time to carry out worthy tasks.
They would have better scope to look after children or other dependents, there would be more opportunity for civic duties, and older people could even delay retirement, it said.
'Better employees'
Anna Coote, co-author of the 21 Hours report, said: "So many of us live to work, work to earn, and earn to consume, and our consumption habits are squandering the earth's natural resources.
HAVE YOUR SAY This is a fantastic idea. With two parents working less hours it would give families so much more time to spend together
Sarah Tickhill, Newcastle under Lyme
Send us your comments "Spending less time in paid work could help us to break this pattern. We'd have more time to be better parents, better citizens, better carers and better neighbours.
"We could even become better employees - less stressed, more in control, happier in our jobs and more productive.
"It is time to break the power of the old industrial clock, take back our lives and work for a sustainable future."
The foundation's policy director Andrew Simms added: "A cultural shift will throw up real challenges, but there could also be massive benefits for our economy, our quality of life and our planet.
"After all, hands up who wouldn't like a four day weekend?"
