May Day – How long is your working day?
On Monday we have a public holiday called Labour Day, also known as May Day. Labour Day is a holiday to celebrate the 8 hour working day. During the industrial revolution it was common to work 10 to 16 hours a day for 6 days a week so we have come a long way since then.
But where are we now? With the conveniences of technology, we tend to work longer and longer hours. In an increasingly global world we have clients open for business at any time of the day and night. There is the constant temptation to answer just one last email before bed and to send another invoice for the day.
I have joked with clients that you can tell it is a public holiday as the phone does not ring as often and you are able to complete more work! Many business owners aren’t aware of the public holidays as they do not take them.
Is it time for another 8 hour work day movement?
I don’t think so. I think it’s time to prioritise and focus on what is important. Technology allows us to slip into bad work life habits but at the same time allows for substantial work life improvements if it’s managed correctly.
One of our specialities is building systems and processes to make your business run more efficiently. The long term goal is to make you redundant in your own business! Working an 8 hour week is a possibility.
I suggest that all my fellow business owners take the long weekend off and consider what you would like to achieve in the next 1, 3 and 5 years. Please contact us if you are interested in working less and living more.
Newsletter
This newsletter includes the following interesting articles:
- Unfair contract terms
- FBT year end
- Car allowances
- Super basics for employers
- Deeds vs Agreements
- New CGT rules for buying or selling a business
- CGT relief for restructures
- Unfair dismissals