Swedes test a future of less work, more play

[Bosonic]

Swedes test a future of less work, more play

Gothenburg (Sweden) (AFP) - Robert Nilsson, a 25-year-old mechanic in Sweden's second city Gothenburg, may be the harbinger of a future where people work less and still enjoy a high standard of living.

He gets out of bed at the same time as everyone else, but instead of rushing to work, he takes it easy, goes for a jog, enjoys his breakfast, and doesn't arrive at his Toyota workshop until noon, only to punch out again at 6:00 pm.

...

Now, the Social Democrat-led city government in Gothenburg is planning to test the impact of shorter hours on productivity, in an experiment beginning on July 1.

One group of government workers in the elderly care sector are to work six hours a day, while another will work the eight they are used to.

After a year, the municipal government will analyse the results and decide whether the six-hour day brings enough savings -- in the form of fewer sick days for instance -- that it warrants becoming permanent and extended to other sectors.

http://news.yahoo.com/swedes-test-future-less-more-play-150640783.html;_ylt=A0LEV1YsVYdTAksAoQRXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBsa3ZzMnBvBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkAw--

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Glad to see there are some places where civilization is progressing, not regressing.

It's like Sweden has campaign finance laws, or something.

[CTyankee]

2. betcha they have good gun laws, too...

[greymattermom]

3. Great, a systematic approach

It's really important that they have designed it as an experiment and will know which plan produces the maximum efficiency. Here folks take sick leave all the time because vacation time is so limited.