The 21 hour work week | Anna Coote | TEDxGhent

As a prominent member of the London New Economics Foundation, Anna's controversial talk about the 21-hour work week stirred public opinion heavily. Moving to a much shorter workweek improves the quality of our life and helps build a sustainable economy.

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[tdboatman]

I love it - have been working towards this for 4 years. First step was exiting the mainstream corporate world which immediately freed up 5 hours per day - not sitting in mind numbing meetings and conference calls.

[takchengsze]

I live in hong kong and 12 hours work day is common in my last career as being an architect. However, most of the time were spent on unnecessary administrative work. Now I do freelance, test prep tutoring, web development, uber drive during surge time. I only work 4-5 hours a day with 60 usd per hour. Life is so much better.

[Alexthegreatest]

It's amazing how much more productive you can be by just cutting one work day. 3 days of rest is so so much better than 2. The recharge does wonders for your productivity and your attitude about working. Makes you a more more fun to be around too.

[Eagle-zlgz]

I’m 52 I recently said enough was enough I’m working 25 ish hours a week and lovin life again

[blinkspacestudio]

I would be far happier in my job if I wasnt here 70% of my damn time. I have so many other things that I want to do and I am working towards this. Money has become far less important to me now and I want to actually start living. I dont want to blink and it will be all over. I want to experience amazing things not just sitting at this desk. Much of my time at work isnt even working, I just wait for people to come in and ask for something. Its such a waste of time.

[tinadragschitz]

We watched this video in one of the classes that I attend for my studies which main topic is sustainable work. I think shortening the working hours is a great way to reduce consumption as well as production while avoiding high unemployment rates. There would be many positive effects not only on the environment but also on the society. Work-sharing and shortening the workday instead of the workweek could also lead to more gender equality as there would be more time for men and women to divide the daily caring activities more equally.
Nowadays work time reduction is still first and foremost related to productivity gains instead of having the positive ecological and social effects in mind. But do not forget that the positive impacts on the environment depend highly on how the additional leisure time is used. Travelling by plane, for example, will not contribute to sustainable consumption at all.
Anna Coote's proposal should find more consideration in our society. Although that might be difficult, I think the effects on the environment and also on the society will be worth it.

[gtcstorm]

I always hated long work hours, even 40. Now that I am 50 years old 20-25 is about all I have in me.

[KillaNaz]

This would be cool. Whenever there is a long weekend and we only work 3 - 4 days a week. I always feel more energized and feel like i accomplish more work. I see the benefit

[smallbluemachine]

If people are working, they are too busy to try changing the system. I suspect this is the design.

[lifebythesea]

The More we work the more we consume. Occupation? Companies want us occupied it means less time to think, question and challenge the systems of our world

[valeriepark]

I worked 50 hours and sometimes 60 hours a week. I just wanna cry whenever I come back home, I hate how little time I have for rest and self care.

I cant even enjoy a longer shower because it takes my time away for sleep which is really important for me to stay awake at work for tmr.

So I quitted despite the salary

[mystictalks]

I got myself in a financial state where I have my house paid off and vehicle and no credit card debt and I work 6hr days and work 3 days and love it. I have a side business with my gardening, I get to go camping with my dogs and long runs, meditate, work with my friend on our podcast and books we write together. I love working less, life is too short and climbing to corporate latter is way over rated and boring.

[official_AandiiXX]

This is the single best Speech i have ever heard. Thank you. Thats the only way our Society can live on.

[BXD]

I now work 20 hours a week due to the nature of my job. Although it is full time and I’m salaried. It’s a great gig.

[caseyd]

The problem with the US is health care. It is very difficult to find a <40hr/wk job that provides health care.

[kevinfetter]

I have come in on my days off, and once worked one time 14 days straight. I missed doing other things, by doing that. And what I get in the end, is a kick in the behind for it.

[DayWeekendEntrepreneur]

Brilliant and true, based on my experience. Thank you for this. I look forward to reading more about what you are doing with this.

[davelucas]

Imagine how much better life would be if we got rid of those false bureaucratic jobs that have been contrived just as a pretext for giving people a taxable 'income'. As mechanisation takes the toil out of our daily lives, we just work shorter hours and share out all the work still needed amongst the population.

[haydenrose]

The average working week hours has been going down steadily since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800’s. A sign of better times to come hopefully.

[bobnob]

I quit my job to do a degree part time and my boss wouldn't let me work part time. Took a part time job in retail, 20 hours a week. Now I'm probably averaging over 30 and am having to fight to get 20. I did an extra shift on my week of to help out with the agreement that I'd have a extra day off the next week. I'm now down for 36 hours the following week. I don't know what to do about it