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Hump day. Wednesday. The day after suicide Tuesday. Yes, that's a thing. The day sane people use to sit around the office complaining about nothing much because they know Thursday is coming. I could never get the hang of Thursday. After trying a variety of methods, part time days, hours shifting and RDOs (Regular Days Off) all over the place one company believes it has hit the sweet spot of productivity by shutting down every Wednesday to divide the week into two. So far it is working, well, really well in fact. Staff report having more spring in their step on a Monday, looking forward to a Thursday, having time for dental appointments and the like on their Wednesday off and overall — far from taking a hit for being shut down for a day — the business is taking off.
In memory of MDC. Everyone needs a day off from everyday life now and then.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by RS3 on Thursday May 02 2019, @04:18AM (5 children)
Many small towns in America (and maybe lots of other countries) traditionally close down Wednesday afternoons. https://tompoland.net/closed-at-noon-wednesdays/ [tompoland.net]
(Score: 3, Informative) by bob_super on Thursday May 02 2019, @04:52AM (2 children)
French K-12-equivalent schools have Wednesday afternoon off, for sports and/or to limit fatigue.
Other days, kids are at school until at least 4, usually 5 starting in Middle School.
Saturday mornings keep being added and removed by successive education ministers trying to justify their existence with A Change.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by BeaverCleaver on Thursday May 02 2019, @07:45AM
Ah yes, "A Change." The go-to of ineffective managers and politicians worldwide. Especially in education though, it seems.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday May 02 2019, @01:52PM
My high school dedicated Wednesday afternoons to 'sport' which ranged from soccer to rollerblading to golf. It was pretty good now that I think back on it.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by bzipitidoo on Thursday May 02 2019, @12:22PM (1 child)
The 40 hour week became standard in the early 20th century when employers were finally convinced that productivity was better when workers were allowed more time off. Lot of studies and research were done to show this. We all know the hardheaded, simpleminded sort of boss who just naturally thinks more hours equals more production. It's the same logic used to compute the hypothetical cost of piracy: number of copies illegally downloaded times the list price gives the amount lost. 12 hours a day 6 days a week was typical of the early decades of the Industrial Revolution.
In recent decades, the 40 hour week has been eroded. 9 to 5 included a lunch break, 5 minute smoke breaks every hour, and bathroom breaks. all paid. And that somehow became 8 to 5, with an unpaid hour off for lunch. Today, some employees bring a sack lunch and eat at their desks while they continue to work. But they don't have a shorter day, no, it's still 8 to 5, or even longer of course. That's "dedication", a trait that has been hinted is necessary if one wishes to survive the next round of layoffs.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by khallow on Thursday May 02 2019, @02:00PM
As to the studies, you mention, jobs differ greatly on their demands on the human body and mind. And people in turn differ greatly in their need for rest and sleep. I don't see the need for a one-size-fits-all work model here.