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Better World: Take Friday off… Forever
New Scientist ^ | 09/15/2009 | David Cohen

Posted on 09/16/2009 4:50:18 AM PDT by Dallas59

The four-day week could boost employment, save energy and make us happier.

FANCY a three-day weekend - not just once in a while but week in week out? You may think your bosses would never agree to it, but the evidence suggests that employers, employees and the environment all benefit.

The four-day week comes in two flavours. One option is to switch from five 8-hour days to four 10-hour days, meaning overall hours and salaries stay the same. In August 2008, the state of Utah moved all of its employees, apart from the emergency services, to working 4/10, as it has become known. The hope was that by shutting down buildings for an extra day each week, energy bills would be slashed by up to a fifth.

(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet; Science; Society
KEYWORDS: friday; work

1 posted on 09/16/2009 4:50:19 AM PDT by Dallas59
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To: Dallas59

I’ve worked 3 12 hr days, 4 10 hr days, and now I work 8 9hr days, 1 8, and every other Friday off.

I love it!


2 posted on 09/16/2009 5:01:13 AM PDT by mom4melody
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To: Dallas59

I work 6 and 7 days a week for someone else, depending upon the time of year...and that’s not counting the two businesses we run from home!

I’d gladly work a 5 day week, but I don’t think it’s humanly possible, LOL!


3 posted on 09/16/2009 5:01:53 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: Dallas59

What would Mr Union Pres__dent think about this for the Postal Service? (they can’t even decide about Saturday delivery)

Also, what would those applying for unemployment do? (with SS numbers ending in Friday Application)


4 posted on 09/16/2009 5:03:02 AM PDT by This_far (Mandatory health insurance? I thought it was about health care!)
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To: Dallas59
please allow me the privilege of a little sarcastic fun!

does fedex close on a workday?

2 extra hours a day x 4 = 8 = normal workday electrical costs (unless you are able to receive after hours billing -which you probably won't between 5-7p.m.).

energy consumption savings of c. 13% when compared to c. 20% less time inhabited, in a building, is energy "efficient?"

"in the UK, 85% of employees have applied to join the scheme," but only 800 of 11,000 employees have been accepted. (that's c. 13.75% -but hey if it helps to save mother earth).

"Not everyone will like the idea of working longer days or taking a pay cut in exchange for a 3-day weekend,..." no shiite!

" Rex Facer at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, questioned 151 human resources directors working for large cities across the US. Where city employees had been offered flexitime or 4/10 regimes,..." a survey of 10,00 crack hoes would probably yield a similar statistical result!

"I wouldn't be surprised if we could get 50 per cent or more of the workforce working four-day weeks in the next few years." the french would be proud, of that i'm sure!

please excuse my little rant, i have had little sleep, and the sarcastic gene is kicking in overtime. :)

5 posted on 09/16/2009 5:14:29 AM PDT by robomatik
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To: Dallas59

Now, how am I supposed to work 80 hours a week in only four days?


6 posted on 09/16/2009 5:17:19 AM PDT by Haiku Guy (If You have a Right / To the Service I provide / I must be a Slave)
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To: mom4melody

See thats the problem with America today. Theres too much lolligagging, too much yakkin when you oughtta be eating, sleeping, or working.

Besides that, I don’t want another weekend day. My weekends are so busy and I got so much work to do that I am completely give out by Sunday night. I can’t wait to get back to my regular sit-down job on Monday.

And I don’t buy into the idea of taking a day off work just for the hell of it and I damn-sure ain’t gonna do it to save the environment.


7 posted on 09/16/2009 5:46:53 AM PDT by envisio (Wanna understand all the problems with this country? Google "Kanye West".)
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To: Dallas59
Then all we would have to do is teach our military how to effectively drop their weapons / trou in a proficient military manner, then we would be just like the French, except without Bastille day, or a long history if being insignificant.
8 posted on 09/16/2009 5:48:53 AM PDT by SERE_DOC (My Rice Krispies told me to stay home & clean my weapons! How does one clean a phase 4 plasma rifle)
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To: envisio

I take the day off (After already doing my 40 hours) for doctor appointments, errands, shopping without the kids, etc.

This isn’t a gift, I’ve already done the 40 hours - just not a traditional Mon-Fri 9-5.


9 posted on 09/16/2009 5:57:53 AM PDT by mom4melody
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