The 8-hour 5 days syndrome not etched in stone

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

While I don't wholly disagree, there is a level of personal responsibility here as well. Where folks place their priorities and values among them.

There is no simple fix nor is it small steps that will get to where the OP envisions.

a reply to: Willtell

The trucking industry hasn't had 8 hour days in decades. You can't if you want goods shipped. We didn't go backwards, we never came forward.

The problem is that in a free market, there is always someone who is willing to work longer hours and be more productive. Those that aren't willing to work will find themselves out of work. Customers and bosses don't give a rat's azz about your personal desires.

While I rarely agree with the OP, I do think the American work culture is toxic. Early in my career, I worked 60-80 hour weeks pretty regularly as it was just the nature of the work / culture of the industry at the time. It was high burn and most people couldn't hack it even though the money was excellent. You just learned to suck it up and deal with it.

Looking back on it, there really was no reason for it other than the companies (and clients) could get away with it. As I mentioned, if I wasn't willing to do it, there were thousands of other applicants who were willing.

Personally, I think a 4 day work week would be nice. A lot of companies have half Fridays during the summer where you can leave at noon. Weekend should be 3 days.

I think the big problem today is email and cell phones. They are like electronic leashes. It is just really difficult to disconnect from work even when you aren't working (at least if you have a corporate / management job). Vacations and time off aren't sacred. You constantly have to answer and respond to emails all the time even when you are supposedly off. Corporations have really pulled one over on workers in this sense as that most of us don't get over time for all the after hours work.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Willtell

The trucking industry hasn't had 8 hour days in decades. You can't if you want goods shipped. We didn't go backwards, we never came forward.

What are you saying, they work more than 8 generally?

Ahh... one of the great benefits of feminism. I know you progressives aren't great at connecting the dots, so let me help you out.

It used to be men could get a decent job and support a family while the woman could stay home and tend to the house / raise the children. However, women decided they wanted to work too. The problem is that when all those women came into the work force, they increased the supply of workers which depresses wages for everyone. Now you need both parents working to support the same lifestyle AND you need to find caregivers for the children.

So while feminism allowed women to get in the corporate rat race, it also is a huge contributor to the destruction of the family and lower wages.

Combine this with the culture of everyone wanting to keep up with the Jones and material goods... the results are not going to be pretty. Everyone has to work long hours to earn money to buy stuff they don't need to impress people they don't know.

originally posted by: JinMI
a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

While I don't wholly disagree, there is a level of personal responsibility here as well. Where folks place their priorities and values among them.

There is no simple fix nor is it small steps that will get to where the OP envisions.

You speak the truth. This will not happen overnight, if it ever happens at all.

a reply to: Edumakated

There’s some truth to that but what you call feminism in terms of the work force was unavoidable, it had to happen. It couldn’t and shouldn’t have been stopped.


It is just something that has to be adjusted to because it was unstoppable. The social climate dictated its reality

It was like puberty it had to happen

a reply to: Willtell

We work 70 hours in 8 days, with 11 hours a day driving, and up to 14 hours a day working. When they first set the number of hours we could drive, it was at 10 hours, so we've never had an 8 hour day.

a reply to: Willtell

Then along came Henry Ford who initiated the standard 8-hour day and actually raised the pay of the workers. This was a wonderful innovation and is the origin of the 8-hour workday. And kudos to Ford for this innovation...

Will.
You are way off course with that belief. Sure, Ford was a huge step in the process of gaining an 8 hour workday, but that company did not initiate it. For one, their innovative assembly line production allowed for no loss in profit for labor expended and it was a wise move to adopt the concept. It also improved efficiency per man hour.

However, it was the workers around the country who were putting pressure on the industiralists as well as pressuring the government for federal laws concerning labor practices. Smaller trade unions around the country had pressed for this and a number of unions had already secured the 40 hour work week in thir contracts. Ford wasjust following the trend and got ahead of other major corporations.

The US was not the first country to have an 8 hour day. It had been a goal of early progressives and socialists around the world to stand up the the brutal conditions established by the industrialists.

a reply to: Zaphod58

That’s not surprising to me.

originally posted by: TerryMcGuire
a reply to: Willtell

Then along came Henry Ford who initiated the standard 8-hour day and actually raised the pay of the workers. This was a wonderful innovation and is the origin of the 8-hour workday. And kudos to Ford for this innovation...

Will.
You are way off course with that belief. Sure, Ford was a huge step in the process of gaining an 8 hour workday, but that company did not initiate it. For one, their innovative assembly line production allowed for no loss in profit for labor expended and it was a wise move to adopt the concept. It also improved efficiency per man hour.

However, it was the workers around the country who were putting pressure on the industiralists as well as pressuring the government for federal laws concerning labor practices. Smaller trade unions around the country had pressed for this and a number of unions had already secured the 40 hour work week in thir contracts. Ford wasjust following the trend and got ahead of other major corporations.

The US was not the first country to have an 8 hour day. It had been a goal of early progressives and socialists around the world to stand up the the brutal conditions established by the industrialists.

I have no disagreement with you. I was just using Ford as a focal point. I didn't go over the history for this post but I know what your talking about.

This post is about the modern titans who we should pressure to change.

Obviously they will have to have some self-interest involved. Ford did of course as you point out, though I would still give him a credit while I fully understand he gained greatly from that.

originally posted by: EternalShadow
Four 10's and three off...

Best schedule ever IMO.

Not when you drive 1.5 hours round trip for work, it doesn't. Trust me on that one. Telecommuting is the way to go, if possible.

a reply to: Willtell

I remember when 40 hours a week meant full time job...

I guess the left is trying to instill the 29 hour work week x 2 or 3 should be the norm..

NO thanks...

Obamacare did more than raise health insurance costs... it took TIME from folks raising a family, when businesses cut back hours to avoid falling under that BS mandate..

YMMV

a reply to: Willtell

Would you work 3 eight hour days a week for no money if I gave you a house, a car, food, clothes, healthcare, and education?

a reply to: Willtell

have no disagreement with you.

I had supposed your knowledge of history was not so limited. Good to hear.

originally posted by: bigfatfurrytexan
Ibwork more than i should. I make money for other people.

Id like having a 4 day, 32 hour week.

My wife's company just went to the 4 day week, this month.

The Boss is a prog lib from Connecticut. White guy.

He's a Hillary supporter and she wouldn't let me make him eat his words when Trump won. (i still have his vid)

When I first came here, they told me I had 1 day off, paid once a month and that was that.

No OT no negotiation. 17 yrs ago and it's still like that here.

I opened my own restos since I was gonna work that much, I might as well get paid for my time and money invested.

I'm out of it, sold them and now am a freelance model/actor.

Token white guy in the back but much more fun.

You might have seen me. lol!

a reply to: burgerbuddy

My problem is i have too much work to do. If i dont do it it doesnt get done.

Even worse: im adept at automating processes. I have colleagues that work more to do the same thing.

a reply to: Willtell

Its rewarding when you do things youre good at. I enjoy my job. I just wish it was possible to enjoy more life too.

once all the robots are operational you'll have all the time off you want .

originally posted by: EternalShadow
Four 10's and three off...

Best schedule ever IMO.

Similar to my husband's, 4 12's, 3 off, then 3 12's and 4 off the next week, lather, rinse, repeat. And he agrees, OT days on top of that or no OT days, it's the best schedule he's ever had.