ABSTRACT
Given the potential of work time reform to achieve broad-based socioeconomic objectives, it is important that a work time regulation program be comprehensively and collectively designed. Our desideratum thus far has incorporated the “first principles” of improving socioeconomic participation in a stable and sustainable manner. The evidence from work time reduction experiments indicates that program design has a tremendous impact on the outcome of hours regulation. Thus, a process of work time regulation should entail an initial and ongoing identification of central policy objectives. Ideally, this identification process would be conducted in a democratic manner, considering the collective interests of the stakeholders involved in the social effort bargain. Thus, any reformation of work time needs to be mindful of its intended outcomes. Ad hoc reductions in work hours intended to accomplish narrow, short-term goals can have unintended consequences (such as work intensification) that can sour attitudes regarding a wider regulation of work hours. No policy is immune to the damaging public image effects of poor implementation and failed objectives. Lackluster or failed experiments can taint the opinions of leaders and the general public to the point of abandonment of future work time experimentation. This chapter therefore offers a suite of policy proposals that policymakers can use to influence the social effort bargain to achieve the macroeconomic objectives of employment growth and price stability without relying on more material throughput. Redistributing and reducing work hours
through the mechanisms proposed here will bring more transparency, equity, and accountability to the social effort bargain. Democratizing the social effort bargain will enhance socioeconomic participation, improving both economic performance and subjective well-being.
