SocialDemocrat
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2014
- Messages
- 922
- Reaction score
- 309
- Location
- The beautiful Pacific Northwest
- Gender
- Undisclosed
- Political Leaning
- Socialist
I'm not saying other countries don't do it. I'm talking about this country. I said it won't happen here. They won't be forced to cut back hours and automatically hire more people.
In terms of political feasibility, sure. Neither the Democrats or Republicans have any political will to do so, and even Sanders hasn't called for a reduction of the workweek. But if a reduction in the workweek were to be implemented, it would result in better working conditions for workers. The fact of the matter is that most Americans are already overworked because they work such long hours. It's simply not a sustainable business model to overwork employees with a shorter workweek in an industrialized country, when more humane working conditions, including shorter workweeks, produce a happier, and therefore more productive worker. There are benefits in terms of productivity when it comes to expanding the rights of workers. I'd also support policies promoting unionization so that a transition to a shorter workweek include workers having a say in how they are treated.
Actually, that probably does not work that way. I would have to look up to see, what studies have been done. But the French did reduce worked hours a while back and seemed to effect the reduction in economic activity I had expected. This is because the cost of doing business rises, when two people do the job one could. When the cost of business goes up it reduces production. Ultimately you need fewer employees.
I recognize that the French implementation of the 35 hour workweek wasn't perfect by any means. One way to compensate for raising costs of business is to abolish the corporate income tax. I disagree with the idea of taxing the internal workings of a corporation as a form of funding for the government; this money would be put to better use by providing employees with better benefits, wages, working conditions, etc., such as a 35 hour workweek. Regardless, reduction of the workweek is not the only method of reducing unemployment; I posted earlier about establishing public works programs with jobs available to anyone who applies, and the workweek reduction ensures that a reduction in employment is not restricted to one sector of the economy. Additionally, independently of the 35 hour workweek's effect on unemployment, I support it as a matter of improving working conditions.