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Desperate Times: UK Mulls 3-Day Week

Gov't may compensate workers to avoid higher cost of mass layoffs

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 25, 2009 10:39 AM CST

(Newser) – Now officially in recession amid the global downturn, the specter of a three-day work week has emerged in Britain, the Independent reports. Though officials say it’s "not imminent," the government has discussed paying firms to cut hours with public cash going toward compensating employees for the lost time. But such a move could hurt already-flagging confidence in the economy.

PM Gordon Brown. center, speaks at the Regional Economic Council, with Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise Peter Mandelson, left, and Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, Jan. 5. (AP Photo/ Lewis Whyld)

Britain's Treasury Chief Alistair Darling poses for photographers as he leaves the Treasury, Nov. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday Jan. 23, 2009. (AP Photo / pa, David Moir)

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Newser001

Jan 24, 2009 11:33 PM CST

This, a clear indication of the levels of severity we face, with far more on its way... Bluntly put, we are heading into some very serious sh!t.. Red Sunset ~ Perfect Storm. All completely and utterly avoidable, IF governments had done their jobs; scuttled lobbyists’, PACs and their relations, as we’ve clearly demanded, prior...Coupled with the securities industries; if only they’d ever had any semblance of ethics, what so ever... Rid our selves of commodity and futures trading, etc... This would indeed be, a very different day...

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Desperate Times: UK Mulls 3-Day Week

Gov't may compensate workers to avoid higher cost of mass layoffs

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

work • Gordon Brown • recession • unemployment • Britain • Alistair Darling • employees • hours • recession depression

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CBO: 'Profound' Challenges Ahead

Deficit should fall, but employment, growth remain low

'Recovery' Looking Like 10-Year Recession

Uncertainty is the 'new normal' in America

US Won't Get All Jobs Back Until 2020

And we're likely to hit another recession before then

Temp Hiring Is on the Rise

Employers show confidence, but hedged with caution

Poll Lays Bare Jobless Toll on Families

Parents are panicked and ashamed, kids are anxious as savings go

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Desperate Times: UK Mulls 3-Day Week

Gov't may compensate workers to avoid higher cost of mass layoffs

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

work • Gordon Brown • recession • unemployment • Britain • Alistair Darling • employees • hours • recession depression

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

CBO: 'Profound' Challenges Ahead

Deficit should fall, but employment, growth remain low

'Recovery' Looking Like 10-Year Recession

Uncertainty is the 'new normal' in America

US Won't Get All Jobs Back Until 2020

And we're likely to hit another recession before then

Temp Hiring Is on the Rise

Employers show confidence, but hedged with caution

Poll Lays Bare Jobless Toll on Families

Parents are panicked and ashamed, kids are anxious as savings go

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Newser By Users

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