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Workers' Perceptions of the Four-Day Week
Mahoney, Thomas A., Jerry M. Newman, and Peter J. Frost
18/1  (Fall 1975): 31-35

The article reports an investigation of workers' perceptions and attitudes toward the four-day week, and investigations of the validity of certain of the arguments in support of the concept. Most current proposals concerning schedules of working hours are typified by the four-day, forty-hour week proposal, and the flexible-time proposal. Both of these proposals concern the schedule of working hours during the week or day rather than reduction in weekly working hours. Arguments for current proposals to restructure the work week largely concern anticipated effects on productivity, efficiency, and labor costs. The examination of workers' perceptions of four-day-week proposals began with consideration of economic models of work-leisure choices. An investigation on the examination is presented which shows that support for arguments in favor of the four-day week are not based upon alleged job dissatisfactions. Rather, it appears that reactions are more a function of perceptions of and demands for leisure.

 

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