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Rose Siding Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:14 AM
Original message
France may lengthen 35-hour week
snip>
The French parliament was due to begin on Tuesday afternoon a three-day debate on a bill that would relax the rules.

The reform would allow workers to put in more than 35 hours a week in return for more pay if they reach a collective accord with their company and union.

The government says this reform is aimed at stimulating the economy and creating jobs.

French workers have been demonstrating over the past weeks in protest against the government's plans.

A recent poll showed that three-quarters of the French workforce want to stick to the current 35-hour working week, brought in by the last Socialist government.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4225139.stm
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brainshrub Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:16 AM
Response to Original message
1. Live to work or work to live.
Americans have chosen the former.
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earth mom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 01:02 PM
Response to Reply #1
11. I agree and that's what's wrong with this country. eom
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PROGRESSIVE1 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:16 AM
Response to Original message
2. France can make more money and become a wealthier nation.
A 40 hour work week is not unreasonable. I support this measure.
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hunter Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:36 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. Not unreasonable?
It sounds as if the average French worker doesn't care if France makes "more money" and becomes a "wealthier nation."

They would rather have their 35 hour work week and six week vacations.

That doesn't sound "unreasonable" to me.
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Selatius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 12:59 PM
Response to Reply #2
10. I think we should put it to a referendum
The people would decide, and then the people would reject raising the cap to 40 or whatever by 2/3rds. That should stop parliament from trying to meddle with it again. They'd be trying to fool with the will of the people on that score.
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denverbill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 02:58 PM
Response to Reply #2
14. They could make even more by adopting an 80 hour work week.
Then they could outcompete us and we'd have to increase our workweek to stay competitive. We could adopt a 120 hour work week and smoke their sorry asses.
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Mizmoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:17 AM
Response to Original message
3. No wonder American workers are in demand
in Europe. We're freakin slaves by comparision. :P
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fairfaxvadem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:26 AM
Response to Original message
4. I went from a 40 hour work week to 35 hour work week.
I find myself to be a lot more motivated by the shorter workday and I think I'm just as productive. Certainly my quality of life is better.

From working in a strictly office-type environment all my working years, I've never been convinced that the # of hours worked necessarily reflect how productive a person is. What takes one person all day, may take another only 5 or 6 hours.

I'm sure this isn't the case in manufacturing, but just based on my own personal experience.
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Rockerdem Donating Member (706 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:37 AM
Response to Reply #4
6. Get my workweek down to 20 hours and watch my productivity skyrocket
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gorbal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 12:04 PM
Response to Reply #4
8. Yeah, 40 is just a little to much for me
If I can arrange a 35 hour workweek for myself I will. That is five more hours of life that you get to live with.

Of course, if you really LOVE your job, that is a whole different story. I like a phrase a teacher taught me, "Find a job you really love, you'll never work a day of your life" If you feel that your job is "part" of your life and an important part, you will more happily work longer hours. If you dislike your job and feel it is taking away from your life, you should consider a career change.
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onehandle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 11:51 AM
Response to Original message
7. I work 50-60 hours a week and are paid for 40.
It's the American Way.

Stoopid Frogs!
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OhioChick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 02:56 PM
Response to Reply #7
13. Similar to You,
I work 60-80 hours per week and get paid for 40. Have no choice in the matter, there are NO jobs out there!!!!
A 40 hour work-week sounds heavenly.........
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Megahurtz Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 12:13 PM
Response to Original message
9. 40 hours a week sucks
We've just been brainwashed that this is necessary, and it shoudn't be.
"Lets all be obedient little American slaves now"
I'll take 35 or less anyday.
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David__77 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Feb-01-05 02:40 PM
Response to Original message
12. 35 hours should be maintained with a long-term goal of 30 hours per week.
40 hours is too much in the long run. France is an economically advanced country, and it's clear that the people went to maintain the shorter work hours.
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