It's time for a 36 hour work week

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Wednesday March 04, 2009 · 8:24 PM PST

2009/03/04 · 20:24

We have a progressive President. We have a Democratic Congress. We have a complete mess in the economy, somewhere between a deep recession or the beginnings of a depression.

Time to think outside of the box. Let's implement a truly progressive idea that will help the economy almost immediately. Why do we insist on the same old tired solutions to economic woes when something much easier, with benefit to all, is standing unimplemented right before our eyes?

The 36 hour work week!

Do it now. Start by passing it for all federal government positions. Urge all state and local municipalities to follow suit. Hold a summit amongst the leaders of industry and urge them to implement it too.

The economic advantage assumes everyone's pay will be pro-rated back to 36 hours, regardless if they are hourly or salary.

The return is theoretically 10% more employment, since employers will hire extra people to work those lost 4 hours. You'll see employment dividends almost immediately.

Will people who have jobs complain that they're making 10% less? Sure they will. But they can also breathe a sigh of relief that their future employment picture is a little more rosy. And... in fact, they won't lose a full 10%. It will probably be closer to 8 or 9% when you factor in tax advantages.

I would gladly take a 9% haircut on my salary if it means my neighbor, my best friend, and my sister all received jobs soon. (And yes, my neighbor, my best friend, and my sister are all currently unemployed.)

What am I missing here?

Sometimes simple solutions are really simple, with no hidden catches.

Oh, and for those who fear a permanent adjustment of the work week backwards, you could use sunset provisions to return to a 40 hour week in 3 years, or some such length of time.

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