SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
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: 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.