Paying attention to the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, most people are focusing on wages. However, Binyamin Appelbaum highlights in a thought-provoking op-ed piece in the New York Times that the workers also have a more fundamental demand—a 32-hour workweek distributed over four days. Appelbaum suggests that if they succeed, it would benefit everyone. He presents evidence from various experiments conducted worldwide, indicating that a shortened workweek not only benefits employees but also the companies they work for. “Americans spend too much time at work,” expresses Appelbaum. “A shorter workweek would improve our well-being, strengthen our families, and enhance our employers’ performance by fostering a motivated and well-rested workforce.”
Appelbaum further highlights that Ford Motor Co. played a significant role in introducing the concept of a 40-hour workweek in 1922. He suggests that it would be fitting for Ford and its workers to once again lead the way towards a future where a shorter workweek becomes the norm. However, not everyone agrees. During a recent Republican debate, Senator Tim Scott mocked the UAW’s pursuit of a “four-day French workweek,” as mentioned in the Wall Street Journal. Scott disapproves of workers seeking more benefits while working fewer hours, stating that it is not acceptable. (Read Appelbaum’s full essay for a contrasting perspective.)
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