Downturn or Down Time: Shorter Hours in an Overworked Culture

by Kim, March 3, 2009 at 11:54am

New Dream board member Juliet Schor was quoted in a NYT Week in Review article, A Slowdown that May Slow Us Down, this weekend.

New Dream staff have always been fortunate to work a four-day week. When I've had other jobs that have allowed me to work four-day weeks, like hospital shifts with alternating four-day/three-day weeks, I've always felt more centered, better rested, more productive, and sick less often. There just seems to be more time to be me, to pursue hobbies and travel--the four day work week is a big part of our "more of what matters" philosophy here at New Dream.

There are also some compelling energy-related reasons for offices to follow the lead of the State of Utah and adopt the four-day work week. It's important to remember that two things are going on here: on the one hand, those that can afford to work a little less and consume a little less might find themselves with a better quality of life. On the other hand, as the article mentions, many families don't have many extras to shave off their budget. "Stagnant wages, said Thea Lee, policy director for the A.F.L.-C.I.O., have already made time off unaffordable."

Read the full article here.