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Overtime

Why We Need A Shorter Working Week

Will Stronge author Kyle Lewis author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Verso Books

Published:14th Sep '21

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Overtime cover

This book argues for a shorter working week as a solution to contemporary work crises, presenting a radical yet practical manifesto for change.

In Overtime, authors Will Stronge and Kyle Lewis present a compelling argument for the necessity of shorter working hours in today’s capitalist society. They delve into the politics of time, examining how the current structure of work affects not only our productivity but also our well-being. The book advocates for a radical yet pragmatic approach to addressing the pressing issues of work and care, highlighting the importance of reactivating the demand for reduced working hours as a progressive goal for the future.

The authors explore the historical context of the shorter working week, tracing its roots and evolution through various political movements. They provide a thorough analysis of the implications that reducing working hours could have on both individuals and society as a whole. By engaging with key theorists and relevant research, Overtime offers a well-rounded perspective on the contemporary 'crisis of work' and how a shift in our approach to labor could lead to significant improvements in quality of life.

Ultimately, Overtime serves as both a manifesto and a call to action. It encourages readers to rethink their relationship with work and to consider the profound impact that a shorter working week could have in addressing the dual crises of work and care. Stronge and Lewis make a strong case for why we should all advocate for less work, not just for our own sake, but for the betterment of society as a whole.

This is a vital contribution to the growing debate around free time and reducing the working week.
With millions saying they would like to work shorter hours, and millions of others without a job or wanting more hours, it's essential that we consider how we address the problems in the labour market as well as preparing for the future challenges of automation. * John McDonnell, Labour Shadow Chancellor [praise for the authors' report on the shorter working week] *
This is a path-breaking report on one of the most promising ideas of our time * Rutger Bregman, historian and author of Utopia for Realists [praise for the authors' report on the shorter working week] *
In this terrific book, Will Stronge and Kyle Lewis present a remarkably clear and powerfully compelling case for shorter working hours as a path to greater sustainability, equality, and freedom. -- Kathi Weeks, author of The Problem With Work
Overtime is a stirring call to action in the fight for a shorter working week. Crucially, Lewis and Stronge remind us that no victories for workers have ever been won without struggle. Overtime is a critical text for socialists seeking to understand how the world of work has changed, and how to imagine a world in which our lives are no longer dominated by it. -- Grace Blakeley, author of The Corona Crash
The centuries old struggle by workers to free themselves from the dictatorship of work has emerged once more. Freedom from drudgery and the reduction in working hours have never been won without a fight. This book will prove invaluable in arming not only those who want to understand that struggle but also more importantly those who want to engage in it. -- John McDonnell, MP
It's no longer enough for the left to just shout jobs, jobs, jobs. Overtime not only shows why shorter working weeks need to be an integral part of a new deal for all workers, but also how it will be won. -- Ellie Mae O'Hagan, Director of CLASS think tank
Focusing on a work-obsessed society, the failure of labor-saving technology to reduce work hours, the undervaluing of women's work, and the toll of work on the environment, Overtime brings both hope and despair. * Booklist *
A compelling case for shortening the current work week, a policy that could see less overworking, more jobs, gender equality and a greener future. -- Ella Glover * Huck *
Timely ... reveals the urgency of the conversion to a shorter working week. -- Adele Walton * gal-dem *

ISBN: 9781788738682

Dimensions: 178mm x 111mm x 12mm

Weight: 300g

144 pages