nef (the new economics foundation) 21 hours for the 21 st century Anna Coote Head of social policy new economics foundation October 2010

nef (the new economics foundation) The vision A gradual move towards a much shorter working week, aiming for 21 hours as the new standard to achieve: (1) social justice and well-being for all (2) a sustainable environment (3) a prosperous economy not dependent on infinite growth.

nef (the new economics foundation) How we spend time (1) Men and women of ‘working age’ spend an average of 19.6 hours in paid work per week. Men: 24.5 hrs Women: 15.4 hrs

nef (the new economics foundation) Average hours of people in paid work full-time workers: 37.0 hours part-time workers: 15.5 hours 1 in 5 works more than 45 hours a week Men and women work differently Males workers: 86.3% more than 31 hours 27.0% more than 45 hours Female workers: 55.8% more than 31 hours 9.7% more than 45 hours Shorter hours since the down-turn 1 million ‘involuntary part-timers’ – up by 400,000 since Spring Most are men. How we spend time (2)

nef (the new economics foundation) Why do we still work such long hours? To feed, clothe and house ourselves and our families To get on in life and have ‘enough’ To earn a secure future To be with others and make friends To build identity and status To afford what we desire Because that’s what everyone else does...

nef (the new economics foundation) No such thing as a new idea… In the 21 st century a 15-hour week will suffice, as we turn instead to “how to use freedom from pressing economic cares.” John Maynard Keynes, 1930, “Economic possibilities for our grandchildren”

nef (the new economics foundation) Practical examples UK, 1974: 3-day week France, : 35 hour week Utah State, : 4-day week UK, : recession emergency measures

nef (the new economics foundation) LIVING WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS ENSURING A STRONG, HEALTHY AND JUST SOCIETY ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE USING SOUND SCIENCE RESPONSIBLY A principled framework… …sustainable development

nef (the new economics foundation) Social reasons for moving to 21 hours (1) More people in paid work Less stress More control over time Better well-being for jobless and overworked Redistribute paid and unpaid time Fairer shares between men and women Good for parents and children

nef (the new economics foundation) Social reasons for moving to 21 hours (2) Making more of later life More time to care More ‘free time’ Time to ‘grow the core economy’’ and co-produce well-being Time to make sense of the ‘Big Society’

nef (the new economics foundation) Environmental reasons for moving to 21 hours Get off the consumer treadmill Work to live, not live to work More time to live sustainably

nef (the new economics foundation) Economic reasons for moving to 21 hours Helps to end credit- fuelled growth Time a key variable in managing a decarbonised economy Shorter hours plus more women make a more productive workforce. A more resilient and adaptable economy Safeguards public resources

nef (the new economics foundation) Challenges of transition Impact on poverty – the poorest could be hardest hit Shorter hours could just mean more people do more overtime The ‘lump of labour fallacy’ Against the grain of business culture Few incentives for employers Resistance from employees Regulation versus civil liberty

nef (the new economics foundation) How to make it work? Necessary conditions for a successful transition, changing gradually over a decade or more… Achieving shorter working hours Ensuring a fair living income Improving gender relations and quality of family life Changing norms and expectations

nef (the new economics foundation) Achieving shorter hours Negotiate small reductions in hours with annual pay increments Organise working practices to accommodate shorter hours Active training to fill skills gaps Employers costs per-hour not per-employee Reduce pay gradient Regulation with flexibility to suit employees More and better support for self-employed

nef (the new economics foundation) A fair living income Fairer distribution of income and wealth A higher minimum wage Improved state benefits Secure, high-quality health, education and other essential services More uncommodified activity and consumption

nef (the new economics foundation) Better gender relations and quality of life Flexible working arrangements Decent childcare More job-sharing Limits on overtime Flexible retirement Enforce equal pay and opportunity laws More jobs for men in caring and primary-level teaching More self-help and mutual aid

nef (the new economics foundation) Changing norms and expectations A national debate about how we use, value and distribute work and time… …and how much ‘stuff’ is enough Raise awareness about the value of unpaid work More support for unpaid activities

nef (the new economics foundation) Changing the unchangeable…

nef (the new economics foundation) THANK YOU!