4 Days, 40 Hours

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4 Days, 40 Hours is a 1971 book by Riva Poor reporting on a "revolution in work and leisure" from a rearranged work week with four days of 10 hours each. In some cases, the book shows, companies can increase production and profit while giving employees more time off.^[1] For example, Kyanize Paints would make 3 batches of paint on each of 5 work days, leaving the factory closed on weekends. Employees agreed to work 2 extra hours Monday through Thursday, in exchange for Friday off. The factory was then able to make 4 batches of paint on each of 4 work days. This increased production from 15 to 16 batches.^{[citation needed]}

David Hamilton wrote, "Her research indicates that the shorter week is most successful in small, nondiversified industries."^[2]

Economist Paul Samuelson, who has endorsed the idea of the four-day week, suggests another possible result: a change in "the division of labor between husband and wife in the home to redress the ancient curse of female drudgery."^[3]

1997 research found advantages to a 4x10 hour week included increased productivity, improved morale and staff relations, reduced absenteeism, and reduced commuting time; disadvantages included fatigue, scheduling problems, and staff moonlighting.^[4] General Motors uses the 4 day scheme at some of its plants.^[5]

References

1. ^ "The 4-Day Work Week Is Coming ...", Illinois Parks and Recreation, 9 July/August, 1971, http://www.lib.niu.edu/1971/IP71078.html
2. ^ Alicia Patterson Foundation website^{[dead link]}
3. ^ Business: On the Way to a Four-Day Week, Time Magazine, March 1, 1971
4. ^ Arturo Vega, Michael J. Gilbert; "Longer Days, Shorter Weeks: Compressed Work Weeks in Policing", Public Personnel Management, Vol. 26, 1997, http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5000556691
5. ^ Harvey Meyer, "The Short-Timers", Human Resources Executive Online, Feb 1, 2010, http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=332087062

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