Sharing the Work, Sparing the Planet: Work Time, Consumption & Ecology
by Anders Hayden (Toronto: Between the Lines, 1999)
In this seminal book, Anders Hayden – one of the leading proponents of new work schedules in Canada – chronicles the global movement to shorten work time.
Historically, people advocated work-time reductions to create more jobs and “live dignified and healthy lives.” Today, argues Hayden, these two reasons have been “joined by a powerful new motivation: the increasing recognition of ecological limits.” Infinite growth and expanded resource consumption are no longer options.
Work-time reductions offer a way to sustain the environment by shifting the focus from consumption to leisure, while increasing employment, social justice, and quality of life.
Efforts to reduce work hours have been most concentrated and successful in Europe. Drawing on several international and Canadian examples, Hayden shows how work-time reduction can be good for people, and good for the planet.