The Society for Abolishing Weekends: Manifesto

We here at the Society for Abolishing Weekends (or S.A.W.), seek to abolish weekends.

But before you think we are crazy Puritanical freaks with an overblown Protestant work-ethic, give our manifesto a chance. We are actually arguing for less work (when calculated on an individual basis).

Our vision could be described as Capinism or Commitalism, since it is the perfect combination of both systems.

It is based on the idea that a seven day week, with five days work (Monday to Friday), one day rest (Sunday), and one day a strange hybrid of both (Saturday), is hopelessly outdated in the twenty-first century. This system is based on Biblical myth, which has nothing to do with the pressures and demands of modern life.

We believe that there should be no days of rest in general, but more days of rest in terms of the individual.

This means that stores will be open seven days a week, as will all services and government departments.

The essence of our argument is this: people should work either three or four days a week. Because businesses and services will be open longer, there will be an opportunity to employ more people. Unemployment will go down, and become nearly non-existent, due to the increase in economic activity. But - and here's the beautiful part - people will actually work less. Four days work and three days rest seems like a far more humane and sustainable balance.

And "rest," of course, includes leisure, entertainment, travel and hobbies, all which stimulate the economy, which creates more jobs. This also avoids the problem of people with money to spend, but not having the time or opportunity to spend it, because everything is closed on Sunday.

People who work four days will be paid a full salary (i.e. the equivalent of five days under the current system). Those who work three days will be paid the equivalent of four days under the current system. The extra funds will come from the boost in consumer confidence and spending, plus the savings made in the health sector due to reduced stress.

People don't get less sick just because it's a weekend, so why are most doctors playing golf? And what if I want to buy some clothes or a CD on a Sunday? It seems ridiculous in the age of rampant capitalism that I have to wait until Monday.

What about schools, you ask? Well they also function only four days a week, which corresponds to the four working days of their parents (or parent), and their school teachers. Switzerland and France have four day school weeks, and this has no adverse effects on their economy.

Huge savings would be made simply through the minimizing of stress in the work-force. Inflation would go down. People would have time to relax and enjoy life.

So there you have it. Devastatingly simple, convenient and sane.

Abolish weekends.