One of the major New Zealand political parties is pushing for a significant political dialogue about legislating a limit on work hours, with the specific intent of benefiting families. NZ Labour MP is quoted as saying:
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““Despite all the talk about work life balance and some progress at the big end of town, there’s not a lot happening for workers lower down the economic chain. And that’s having a real impact on our families. If Mum and Dad are both working long shifts, what’s happening to the kids?—
Is New Zealand going to become yet another country that surpasses The United States in social reform? Or do you think the US is on a good path with regard to the government’s role in protecting and nurturing society?
2 responses so far ↓
AmyL // Sep 6, 2007 at 11:13 am
I’d rather just see a big cut in taxes and make my own decisions about work week, etc. than have the government make yet another law that will eventually be used against people. Social reform is not always best done via government. Case in point: the limitations that are now being discussed for health care in some of the countries that have so-called universal coverage. Soon, if you don’t meet some bureaucrat’s definition of worthy, you won’t get coverage.
Tere // Sep 7, 2007 at 8:19 am
No, I don’t think the U.S. is on a right path! Actually, I don’t even think our government is on ANY path regarding work/life balance. I think we remain a society where (and especially thanks to blackberry’s, email, etc) work predominates, and talk about balance is just that, talk. The corporate culture is such that if you go home at a decent hour or don’t handle email or phone after hours, your career suffers greatly.
I think it’s going to take a massive amount of people saying, “We’re not gonna take it anymore” and meaning it and acting on it before any real change happens.
And that’s just the middle and upper class. Those on the lower economic spectrum have LESS support and resources and options.
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