The Case for a Four Day Week

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 Introduction Where 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

About the Author :
Anna Coote is Principal Fellow at the New Economics Foundation (NEF). Aidan Harper is Researcher at the NEF. Alfie Stirling is Director of Research and Chief Economist at the NEF.

Review :
“In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, now is the time to rethink how we live our lives and care for our planet. This book sets out, clearly and powerfully, a compelling agenda for change.” Caroline Lucas, UK Green Party MP “Timely and important. A punchy, persuasive analysis of how a shorter working week can boost our collective health and wealth. A must-read for anyone who wants real change at work.” Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, UK Trades Union Congress “A compelling argument for limiting working hours to the equivalent of a four day week, backed by a range of suggested policy initiatives. Particularly valuable is the demonstration of the beneficial effects of reduced hours on the morale and performance of employees, and the account of case studies in reduction from round the world.” Roberet Skidelsky, British economic historian, member of UK House of Lords, biographer of John Maynard Keynes “This is the go-to book for understanding why it is time to reject austerity and commit to true sharing – of work, income and planet.” Juliet Schor, author of The Overworked American “A strong case for the four-day week. The three leading experts map out a pragmatic pathway to a shorter working week that safeguards earnings for the lower-paid and keeps the economy flourishing... vital reading for anyone looking for a better work/life balance." Glamour Magazine “Pragmatic and sensible” Social Europe