Poll of the Day > Would you rather work longer hours & fewer days, or more days/shorter hours?

(+) Yeah! (+)

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I would rather work less hours and less days.

But if forced to choose between the 40 hour work week options, I go with 4x 10-Hour days. Something many business owners have promised to me and not delivered lol.

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The less days worked the more time saved due to prep and travel time so would generally want the highest option. I dont know that i have it in me to regularly stay up 20 hours for something i dislike though so voted 13 and 20.

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I already work nearly 10 hours a day.

10x4

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10 hour days are exhausting, and it leaves far less free time on days worked.
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What about working 8-10 hours every day for 10 months then getting 2 months off? >_>

At any rate, all of the options are fewer hours than I usually work.

ReturnOfFa posted...

I would rather work less hours and less days.

https://i.imgur.com/Qb0eIjz.mp4

Also, way to goldbrick!


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20 hour days 2 days a week sounds incredible

I'll do that

SilentSeph posted...

10x4

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10x4.

That schedule I worked at the factory would've been pretty great if it didn't come with almost an hour long commute (one way). 12 hour shifts, rotating over two weeks; 2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off.

The commute kind of killed it though.

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Of the full-time jobs I've had I've worked 8x5 and 10x4, and I prefer the latter.

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Just send me a check each month

actually just Venmo it

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Even since when I was younger, I always felt I would have preferred 4 school/work days and 3 days off.

Was just talking to a friend about this, cause Enterprise used to require 49 hours a week lol.

I'd choose less days shorter hours, but honestly even LESS days and longer hours is my favorite.

3 12 hour shifts for 1 employ (for enterprise) and a second shift for the remaining 2 weekdays at 12 hours, and 6 hours 8am to 2pm) on Saturday ( 30 hours a week).

They have retention problems (or did, my friend hasn't worked for them for 5 years) supposedly and the employees said it wasn't about the pay. Their solution (from what I heard) was to increase pay from something like 35k a year to 48k a year.

My solution would be to reduce the shifts like above, and give just a bit more for the longer shift (35k for the shorter shift, at 30 hours, and 42k for the longer shift at 36 hours).

That is 20% more hours (6 is 20% of 30) and 20% more pay (7k is 20% of 35k).

Fair for both employees and you can then choose if you want to work more hours or not. IF they also have the store opened from 8-2 on Sunday then the second shift is 4 days a week at the 42k as well (but just 6 hours a day).

Now THAT would probably help a ton with retention, since you literally are going from 49 hours to only 30 hours for the same pay, or dropping from 49 to 36 for a 20% raise.

Meanwhile it actually costs the company LESS over all then the raise to 48k. Employees would have more energy/be happier, and it gives you something that is better then other similar companies, especially for older more experienced employees.

I would rather work a 20-24 hour a week job and make $400-600 a week right now then work a 40 hour week and make $2000 a week, and forget about working a 50+ hour job I wouldn't do it for a fortune anymore.

40 hour weeks at this point in my life take ALL my energy, I literally won't have any left for anything. I did it before covid for awhile, and in the past even a few years ago, I worked 10+ hours, took care of a family went to school full time and maintained an almost 4.0 while getting my masters AND did my student teaching.

A few years can make a huge difference, just 4-5 years after doing all the above, a 10 hour shift 5 days a week at Conduent freaking would kick my but. I'd get up at 9am to get ready for work that started at 11 and ended at midnight. I'd drive home (about 30 minutes) and get something to eat along the way, and then try and decompress and get to sleep by 1 am (which was hard to do), only to wake up and do it all over again. Then on the weekend I had EVERYTHING else I had to do, groceries, laundry, bills etc etc, so I didn't really have time for anything social and when I did (just to see friends or play DnD) I was so exhausted because I really need 8-9 hours of sleep now or it adds up, that I couldn't really enjoy anything.

And that was just 55 hours (including commute) a week.

So yeah, as more Americans get older, I think we are going to need more jobs that are max 40 hours and often more like 30 hours a week.

Meanwhile people like me need decent jobs that pay more then min wage, but are 20-24 hours a week or so (3 days a week, 7-8 hours a day). That is about perfect for me tbh.

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I could work 80 hours a week if the job involved your mom

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Philip027 posted...

Even since when I was younger, I always felt I would have preferred 4 school/work days and 3 days off.

I've done 4 10 hour shifts, and for awhile (Back in my late teens) I did a 3 12 hour shift (with a 2 hour commute ugh). The 4 10 hour shifts are pretty nice, the 3 12 hour one was meh, cause 12 hours are really long (Believe nurses do that as well), but the 4 days off was really nice.

Laws vary per state, but in Washington you are required to take a 30 min lunch break if you work more then 5 hours, and sadly it's not paid (unless you are still working during it, or required to remain on site).

Therefore, the best and most economical solution is to only work 5 hour shifts if you can manage it. 4 days with 5 hour shifts is just about perfect for me, that is a straight 20 hour work week, no lunch periods that you don't get paid for, 1 10 minute break in the middle of your shift (Required by law).

Even at $15 an hour (and many jobs pay more than that here, or include tips as well), that is $1200 a month.

That easily covers my monthly costs. I have an interview tomorrow where I hope to start working a teaching job (kinder care) with a schedule along those lines *fingers crossed*.

I'm old, have bad hearing/eyesight and a bad back, but I love kids, am a good teacher and fun to work with, and most importantly I want to keep working and make a positive difference in lives.

They need more jobs for people like me.

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I work 4 12 hour shifts now, then 4 days off, then repeat. The nice thing about it is I know my schedule for the rest of the year because of it.

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six hours five days a week
or
8 hours four days a week

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wolfy42 posted...

I'd choose less days shorter hours, but honestly even LESS days and longer hours is my favorite.

C'mon! I already posted the Stannis meme once in this topic!

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4 tens isn't bad in my experience and my wife is still bummed that she isn't able to work 3 twelves like she used to in the ICU. I'd be interested in trying that and seeing how that went.

I'd rather not work but I have bills and they won't pay themselves.

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PMarth2002 posted...

2 on, 2 off, 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off.

That's what I did when worked security, every other weekend was a long weekend.

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Im fine with the normal 8 hours a day 5 days a week... But I will work pretty much anything. Less days with more hours sounds fine, or less hours for more days. Depends on the job, though...

At my current job, I only need to work 40 hours a week. But my schedule is maxi flex, so I can work however many days I want, as long as I get 40 hours...
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Metalsonic66 posted...

I could work 80 hours a week if the job involved your mom

Cool. What would you do during the remaining 79 hours and 59 minutes though?

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Smiffwilm posted...

Cool. What would you do during the remaining 79 hours and 59 minutes though?

Mouth stuff

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104. I used to work 512 minus extra shifts so 104 is very easy. That 20x2 seems appealing but that can't be healthy. Just one 20 hour day leaves you a mess I've done it before.

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I'd rather have 32 hours (four whole shifts, with half-hour lunches being paid for) be considered a full-time schedule. Allow for 40 for employees who really want that extra shift, but do not force or coerce it in any way, and let people have a three-day weekend to rest, get chores or errands done if needed, and spend time with loved ones. And I'd want minimum wage for those 32 hours to reflect a livable wage for the given area; to cover residence, food, and other basic needs.

Oh, sorry, was that not an option in your dystopian poll? That's a shame.

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MeteoricBurst posted...

104. I used to work 512 minus extra shifts so 104 is very easy. That 20x2 seems appealing but that can't be healthy. Just one 20 hour day leaves you a mess I've done it before.

10x4 just seems more economical and you get 3 days off every week. If you only do a 30 min lunch, that makes it only 1 1/2 hours longer than an 8 hour day with an hour lunch.

If you luck out with a job where you can have lunch while working (in my state they have to pay for lunch if you can't leave the site for instance, or if your required to be there/monitoring something), then it's only an hour longer than an 8 hour shift with an hour lunch.

I've done 12 hours and those are long shifts, only having 3 days though and still considered full time with 36 hours....is almost worth it, but you also have to take another 30 mins (min) lunch for a 12 hour shift (in my state at least) which means it's at least 13 hours.

Even saying you only sleep 8 hours (doesn't work for me) that is 21 hours out of your day between work/sleep, if you commute even 30 mins to work, take a shower etc, you have a whole 2 hours free to eat breakfast/dinner and wake up/settle down to go to bed etc. It sucks (especially since when I did the 12 hour shifts I had a 2 hour commute!!). I was in my late teens though so didn't need to sleep as much luckily.

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Entity13 posted...

I'd rather have 32 hours (four whole shifts, with half-hour lunches being paid for) be considered a full-time schedule. Allow for 40 for employees who really want that extra shift, but do not force or coerce it in any way, and let people have a three-day weekend to rest, get chores or errands done if needed, and spend time with loved ones. And I'd want minimum wage for those 32 hours to reflect a livable wage for the given area; to cover residence, food, and other basic needs.

Oh, sorry, was that not an option in your dystopian poll? That's a shame.

Amen!! That should be the freaking baseline.

32 hours should be full time and the base for it, with allowances for people who want to work 40.

Part time should cover the remaining 3 days for shifts/places opened 7 days a week.

So full time (base) is 32 hours 4 days a week.
Part time (base) is 24 hours, 3 days a week.

Min wage should flat out be based on average rental prices for a 1 bedroom in the area you live, and redone each year based on that.

You should NOT need to work more than 24 hours to afford a basic place to live (private...so no roomates) and food etc each month. Any work over 24 hours should be for disposable income.

In olympia with a 1200$ or so base cost for 1 bedrooms on average, that would mean about 2000$ a month or so just to pay your basic expenses (before taxes).

Say 100 hours a month (slightly over 4 weeks per month average) means 20$/hr should be the base wage in my opinion...and that should NOT mean that rent prices freaking go up again cause min wage goes up.

We need freaking rent control. Rent prices around here have jumped significantly more % wise than min wage in the last 5 years. Carpenter Crest Apartments went from 675$/mnth for a 1 bedroom to $1175 in 5 years. Min wage went from $10/hr to 13.50 in the same time.

That is a 35% increase in min wage and 74% increase in rent.

Meanwhile everyone who made more then min wage and especially more than 13.50 got hit even harder.

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Entity13 posted...

I'd rather have 32 hours (four whole shifts, with half-hour lunches being paid for) be considered a full-time schedule. Allow for 40 for employees who really want that extra shift, but do not force or coerce it in any way, and let people have a three-day weekend to rest, get chores or errands done if needed, and spend time with loved ones. And I'd want minimum wage for those 32 hours to reflect a livable wage for the given area; to cover residence, food, and other basic needs.

Oh, sorry, was that not an option in your dystopian poll? That's a shame.

https://i.imgur.com/eOR62Sl.gif

Imagine thinking working 40 hours in a week is a "dystopia", particularly in a society where the normal work week is longer than that.

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I work as an engineer. I am already accustomed to 11-12 hours on Monday thru Thursday and 7-8 hours on Friday. I would love it if our office is closed on Friday. Official hours are 6 AM thru 10 AM and in practice, projects may not even go out by 10 AM on Friday.

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Zeus posted...

Imagine thinking working 40 hours in a week is a "dystopia", particularly in a society where the normal work week is longer than that.

Imagine misinterpreting or missing the point of what was said, and backing up said misinterpretation by a SelfAwareWolves worthy comment that is labeled as "normal."

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Eight hours per day, five days per week seems like a good balance. I'm not too tired at the end of each day, and I have two days off per week to tend to personal responsibilities washout feeling rushed.

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4x10 or 4x8 would be amazing. The typical 40-hour work week needs an overhaul for sure.

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KodyKeir posted...

That's what I did when worked security, every other weekend was a long weekend.

How'd you like it?

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if it were up to zeus, wed all be students working 60 hours a week :)

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PMarth2002 posted...

How'd you like it?

Probably the best shift I ever worked. Great for gaming with a guild.

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Metalsonic66 posted...

Mouth stuff

Dang that's a long time to be mouthing the word 'stuff'.

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Badum-tssss

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Entity13 posted...

I'd rather have 32 hours (four whole shifts, with half-hour lunches being paid for) be considered a full-time schedule. Allow for 40 for employees who really want that extra shift, but do not force or coerce it in any way, and let people have a three-day weekend to rest, get chores or errands done if needed, and spend time with loved ones. And I'd want minimum wage for those 32 hours to reflect a livable wage for the given area; to cover residence, food, and other basic needs.

Oh, sorry, was that not an option in your dystopian poll? That's a shame.

you'd get that in europe

or if you're rich in the civil services and make 200,xxx dollars a year they only show up on friday it seems like

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OrangeDawn posted...

4x10 or 4x8 would be amazing. The typical 40-hour work week needs an overhaul for sure.

tell that to the people who are happy to be at work making six figures
while you bust your ass for min wage

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Entity13 posted...

SelfAwareWolves

Head pops up! Hmmmm?

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wolfy42 posted...

Head pops up! Hmmmm?

I was referring to the subreddit.

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13 hours and 20, for 3 days. Honestly, I'd rather do 16, 16, and 8, but but that's close enough. For four days off it'd be worth it.

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Entity13 posted...

Imagine misinterpreting or missing the point of what was said, and backing up said misinterpretation by a SelfAwareWolves worthy comment that is labeled as "normal."

Imagine that being your defense.

wolfy42 posted...

Head pops up! Hmmmm?

Yeah, I had no idea where Entity was going with that.

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8 hours per day, 5 days per week have been good enough for me. I have much more energy when I do that and that means I can enjoy my days off more. I've done 12 hour shifts over four days too and although having three days off was great I didn't have any energy or motivation to do anything. It would be the same working 10 hours I believe.

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