Overtime - Why We Need a Shorter Working Week

Overtime is about the politics of time, and specifically the amount of time that we spend labouring within capitalist society. It argues that reactivating the longstanding demand for shorter working hours should be central to any progressive trajectory in the years ahead.This book explains what a shorter working week means, as well as its history and its political implications. Will Stronge and Kyle Lewis examine the idea of reducing the time we all spend labouring for other on both a theoretical and political level, and offer an analysis rooted in the radical traditions from which the idea first emerged. Throughout, the reader is introduced to key theorists of work and working time alongside the relevant research regarding our contemporary 'crisis of work', to which the authors' proposal of a shorter working week responds.

About the author

Will Stronge is the co-director of the think tank Autonomy, and a researcher in Politics and Philosophy at the University of Brighton.Kyle Lewis is an Associate Lecturer in the Health and Social Sciences department at the University of the West of England, and a researcher at the think tank Autonomy.

Report

This is a vital contribution to the growing debate around free time and reducing the working week.
With millions saying they would like to work shorter hours, and millions of others without a job or wanting more hours, it's essential that we consider how we address the problems in the labour market as well as preparing for the future challenges of automation. John McDonnell, Labour Shadow Chancellor [praise for the authors' report on the shorter working week]

Product details

• Authors: Kyle Lewis, Will Stronge
• Publisher: Verso
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.06.2021
• EAN: 9781788738682
• ISBN: 978-1-78873-868-2
• No. of pages: 144
• Dimensions: 110 mm x 180 mm x 14 mm
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Politics; Social sciences, law, business > Business; Wirtschaftspolitik, politische Ökonomie, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economics / General, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Economy, POLITICAL SCIENCE / History & Theory, Industrial relations, health & safety, Politics / Current Events, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Commentary & Opinion, POLITICAL SCIENCE / Labor & Industrial Relations, Political science & theory, Popular economics, Political science and theory, Industrial relations, occupational health and safety, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Labor / General