Response and Summary - Essay Example

November 4, Summary On September 23, Global News anchorman Dan Damon interviews Sarah Lyall, assistant researcher of The New Economics Foundation, about the drawbacks and benefits of a four-day work week. Lyall argues that this system can promote “social, economic, and environmental justice” through boosting the economy, productivity, work-life balance, and social cohesion (“GlobalNews”). She explains that this work system can enhance productivity because it may influence people to “streamline their work” by removing unnecessary activities (“GlobalNews”).

She adds that it can help people become healthier too by reducing stress and anxiety. Likewise, it may improve creativity because people have more time to think about improving different work aspects. Damon believes that, though a three-day weekend break sounds great, reality indicates that people are “going the other way,” working longer than shorter hours per week. He adds that discipline and “benevolent employer[s]” are important for a four-day week to work (“GlobalNews”). She agrees that benevolent employers understand that employees are human beings who need extra time out.

She further notes that retention rates may also increase if employees think that their employers are concerned of their general welfare. High retention rates mean lower employment costs that arise due to high employee turnout. Response: The Ups and Downs of a Four-Day Work Week The strengths of the claims of the speaker are its promotion of a shorter week’s benefits to individuals and societies and provision of examples of companies/nations that practice it. By promoting various benefits, Lyall may convince more organizations to implement it.

In addition, through giving examples of companies and nations applying it, it underlines its popularity that may increase its acceptability for other firms. The weakness of the claims is that a shorter work week alone is not enough to attain its benefits. It may not improve the economy if people are not disciplined enough to finish their work on time. It cannot enhance work-life balance too if people bring their work to their homes. It could also hardly advance gender equality, if many people continue to think that only women must perform traditional roles and responsibilities.

Despite this weakness, I agree with Lyall that a four-day week can have social and economic benefits. It means being more productive because I can focus on working more efficiently. It also gives economic advantages because I have lesser expenses in going to work. Three days of weekend further increase time for my family and community, as well as for meaningful extra-curricular activities.Work Cited“GlobalNews: 23 Sep 14 PM Airstrikes on IS in Syria.” audioboom.com, 23 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Oct. 2014. .