Response to Tom’s Great Proposal Argument

Response to Tom’s Great Proposal Argument

Tom, those are all really strong issues to consider in establishing a career or just trying to bring home the bacon. I side with you on that argument. The typical 8 hour day may not work for some, but it’s more commonly manageable when you think about the balance of home and work life. From a company standpoint, production is the number one factor, although they’ll tell you it’s safety.

My employer gives each job/craft different schedules. The employee then chooses the job with the schedule that works best for him/her. Some jobs work 8 days straight for 10 hours with 7 consecutive days off. Others work 10 hours for 4 days with 3 consecutive days off. I’ve got the old faithful M-F, 8 hours times 5 days equals 60 hours in a week (that’s what it feels like).

My argument would be for the 10-2 shift five days M-F. Let’s sleep in, see the kids off to school, and go to work at 10am. Then work 4 straight hours, fully energized and completely productive. After that, go home and have a little peace and quiet before the family arrives. Instead of paying workers for 8 hours/day, (in which 3 of those hours are spent lollygagging, gossiping, and smoking), maximize production while minimizing manpower costs! It’s a win-win situation… if your wife has a great paying job.