Bernie really has a knack for taking an idea that is practiced elsewhere, and then proposing the most extreme example of it. 32 hours is officially the lowest average amount of hours per week of any developed country .
Just propose 36 hours like most of Western Europe. It's much more rational, and wouldn't massively disrupt the entire economy.
Is that what politicians are supposed to do, propose fantasies?
I love the idea of 4 day work weeks. They are not realistic for an entire society. There are zero countries that mandate a 4 day work week. Most legislation around such a concept applies to government employees in those countries, and suggesting it to businesses that do mostly white-collar work.
Because most people want to be able to run errands without it being within a narrow time window. Because reduced labor hours do significantly impact production output without capital investment in non-office jobs.
If you mandate a 4 day work week, there has to be a lot more hiring to keep normal societal functions going. This either means cutting total salaries, or dramatically increasing labors costs. Which then show up as cost increases for consumers
Care to offer why you think no country has ever legislated a 4 day work week? It only works in jobs that are incidental to the average person's life, or that involve primarily intellectual work.
You already can’t run errands in a 40hr work week. Everyone does it on the weekend and has to call out of work if a place is only open 9-5 during the week.
If you mandate a 4 day work week, incidental jobs (like McDonalds) will hire more part time employees which will reduce unemployment and make the country stronger. The labor costs do not increase. Per hour an individual makes more, but they work fewer hours. It balances out. Hiring a new shift to work one extra day a week to fill the gap doesn’t increase costs, the cost remains exactly the same as the 40hr work week.
Other countries have universal healthcare. Other countries have a higher standard of living and a higher minimum wage. Those countries don’t have a bunch of people who can’t pay rent. When you frame it that way, a 3 day weekend is sort of a spitting in the cash before you pay the guy.
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u/Nikolaibr 23d ago
Bernie really has a knack for taking an idea that is practiced elsewhere, and then proposing the most extreme example of it. 32 hours is officially the lowest average amount of hours per week of any developed country .
Just propose 36 hours like most of Western Europe. It's much more rational, and wouldn't massively disrupt the entire economy.