The Transition from Employment to Retirement

https://www.google.ca/search?q=retirement&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiPkpKFx6jLAhXCtoMKHQ3HBu8Q_AUIBygB&biw=1280&bih=622#imgrc=FNujpzq2A9CPGM%3A

The transition from employment to retirement can be very hard, especially when you aren’t use to staying at home often. A shorter workweek could make this transition much easier and peaceful for everyone.

If you’re not use to staying home often then retirement will be very difficult for you. A standard job is considered to be five days a week from 9-5pm. This concludes that we are spending almost 80% or more time at work which eventually becomes our way of life. The transition of once being employed to being retired is very difficult because you have to adapt to a new lifestyle. With a shorter workweek you would be home more often therefore when you retire you will be used to staying home. When you all of a sudden switch from working very long hours to working no hours at all, it can be very daunting and most the time this causes illness and early death (Coote, 2014).

 Bruce O’Hara, a supporter of shorter workweeks told the globe and mail, ‘’People whose midlife years were totally dominated by work were often the ones who longed to retire, and yet, paradoxically, the people who most lost and unhappy in retirement’’ (Schachter, 2012). The transition from employment to retirement is not an easy step. People have lots of trouble getting use to staying at home. Most of the time they end up finding other jobs they can do because they just don’t like being at home due to them previously working long hourly shifts. A shorter workweek would help these individuals out greatly as it would get them more comfortable with staying at home and while not being employed. 

Coote, A. (2014, July 29). 10 reasons for a shorter working week. Retrieved from NewEconomics.org: http://www.neweconomics.org/blog/entry/10-reasons-for-a-shorter-working-week

Schachter, H. (2012, May 24). Do we really want a shorter work week? Retrieved from The Globe and Mail: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/career-advice/do-we-really-want-a-shorter-work-week/article4209573/

Lower Unemployment Rate and Increase Productivity

Some of you are probably wondering how a shorter workweek would lower the unemployment rate, well let me tell you. A shorter workweek would mean a company or organization can hire more employees. If all of Canada had shorter workweeks then that means there would be more people employed. For example if employee number 1 works Monday to Thursday then employee number 2 can work from Friday to Saturday. 

Having a shorter workweek would not only make the economy stronger and reduce the unemployment rate, but it would also make the employees more productive. A shorter workweek would mean employees would not be as exhausted as they would be working a 40 hour or more week. With a shorter workweek employees know they don’t have much time to complete tasks so they are more likely to focus on completing the task instead of procrastinating on the job (Inveiss, 2015).

If somebody is working long hours that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are actually accomplishing more than somebody working shorter hours. Most people just procrastinate because even if they procrastinate they’re still getting paid and most likely their employer does not know of them procrastinating. According to a research study done by Desk Time users, the people that are most productive only work for 52 minutes and then take a break for 17 minutes (Inveiss, 2015). With a shorter work week, you would have more time for yourself because of the flexible schedule which would lead to a better work-life balance. Also with a shorter workweek, employees would be less likely to take days off because their week is already short. This would lead to a more secure and committed workforce.

 

http://blog.desktime.com/2015/10/06/do-shorter-workdays-make-us-more-productive/

What are your thoughts? Do you think a shorter workweek would make employees more productive?

In the video below they tell us how it is very common in the Netherlands to work only 4 days, yet their productivity hour for hour matches the Americans productivity.

Inveiss, N. (2015, October 6). Do Shorter Workdays Make Us More Productive? Retrieved from Desk Time: http://blog.desktime.com/2015/10/06/do-shorter-workdays-make-us-more-productive/

Spending Time with Friends and Family!

https://www.google.ca/search?q=spending+time+with+family+quotes&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW69PLmKjLAhVsnIMKHZItB8UQ_AUIBygB&biw=1280&bih=622#imgrc=JRRMr85yjgIoyM%3A

Having a shorter workweek gives you lots of time to do other things, one being having the ability to spend more time with your loved ones. Who wouldn’t want to spend more time with their family and friends? Wouldn’t you love to do that if you had the choice? I’m sure most people would love it and it’s never too late to ask your boss for a shorter workweek!

It is important to spend time with your family. For some people, the weekend isn’t the most suitable time for them to spend with their family because that period of time is devoted to other important things. With a shorter workweek, it gives individuals the time and energy to focus on all important things in their lives such as family. With the extended time, you can drop your kids off at school, do grocery shopping with your family, or go visit close family members such as your grandparents. There are multiple activities you could do with your family, which can be almost impossible to do if you were at work. 

Spending quality time with friends and family is very important. You can’t be working all the time and not spend time with your family. When you spend time with your family, you build memories that will last a lifetime. You make the family bond stronger which helps you connect with your family (Sletten, 2011). With a shorter workweek, there is lots of time that can be spent with your family.

Do you think having a shorter workweek would make it easier for you to spend quality time with your family and friends? Please leave a comment below.

Sletten, D. (2011, June 1). 5 Reasons family time rocks. Retrieved from She Knows Canada: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/831061/5-reasons-family-time-rocks