Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


1

Desperate Times: UK Mulls 3-Day Week

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

Share

(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.
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.
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.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday Jan. 23, 2009.   (AP Photo / pa, David Moir)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
1 comment
VIEWING:
 
Newser001
Jan 25, 09 11:33 AM 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... Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
0
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

297 Stories

FUZZY MATH DEPT


 Q3 GDP Growth More 
 Like 2.8% Than 3.5% 

Spending and home prices are up, but not enough to help jobs

Nov 24, 09 9:29 AM CST
(Newser) - The government’s optimistic reading of GDP growth in the 3rd quarter was distorted by a pair of rose-tinted glasses, it now says. The Commerce Department has revised its estimate down to 2.8% from 3.5% on evidence that stimulus programs like Cash for Clunkers and the homebuyers' tax... More »

MORE ABOUT:
recession • unemployment • consumer spending • GDP • Department of Commerce • predictions • economic stimulus package • US gross domestic product

34.5% unemployment

Young Black Men Hit Hardest By Recession

Demographic's unemployment reaches Depression-era levels

Nov 24, 09 6:21 AM CST
(Newser) - The recession has sent the unemployment rate among young black men soaring to rates not seen since the Great Depression. The jobless rate among black males aged 16 to 24 hit 34.5% last month, more than triple the rate for the general population. The demographic has been especially hit... More »

MORE ABOUT:
discrimination • recession • unemployment • African-Americans • recession depression • unemployment rate

paul krugman

 It's About the Jobs, Stupid 

The US needs to create work for Americans

Nov 13, 09 8:20 AM CST
(Newser) - The US has to shake up conventional thinking and create jobs for out-of-work Americans, writes Paul Krugman . Our current misguided thinking—as evidenced by unemployment north of 10%—isn't so much a jobs policy as GDP policy. "If you grow it, they will come," goes the philosophy. Get... More »

MORE ABOUT:
recession • unemployment • economy • unemployment rate

297 Stories


UK residents cut electricity use in recession
Guardian (UK)

UK recession becomes official
Times (UK)


World  •  Business 
TwitterFollow @NewserWorld on Twitter

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

from our news partners