Consider Part-Time Work

Monday, September 26, 2016

It has long been predicted that with more automation and more technology, we could all work less and have more leisure time, but we continue to fall short of that promise. In many ways, we're working harder and longer, with more stress, than previous generations did. I think that a large part of that is because of societal pressures to work long hours, even when doing so doesn't make sense.

That doesn't make a lot of sense to me. We shouldn't work long hours just for the sake of it, especially because right now, conditions are almost perfect for accommodating part-time work. It would benefit everyone if we could reverse societal pressures and encourage part-time work and shorter hours.

Many arguments center around the benefits to the employees - which are numerous - but there are immense benefits to employers, families, and society as a whole.

Employers Benefit

Here are a few of the reasons that you should consider part-time work for your employees, whether you're running a startup or a multi-national corporation:

Employees Benefit

The benefits to employees are fairly self-explanatory, but here goes anyway:

Society Benefits

Probably most important here are the benefits to society at large, especially because getting a lot of part-time work will require a societal shift so that it is not looked down upon to avoid full-time employment (and to pressure employers to allow it and provide benefits to part-time workers). Here are just a few, although there are many more I've missed:


So, that's my pitch. I think that any of you who want to be more creative, who want to learn more, who want more freedom - you should consider working part time, and you should consider the same for your employees. I've taken the leap, and so far it has been great. I'm more creative than I was a month ago, and it seems like I'm becoming more creative every day. Join me.


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