Work Less: New Strategies for a Changing Workplace by Jon Peirce

This is a book that is a must read for anyone who is employed and wants to create change, and any employer who wants to improve their business and employees lives. Work Less is a historic and global view of work hour practices along with remote staffing and overs insight as to both how things have “always” been done and how all of that is changing.

Work/life balance is a common concept heard throughout the workforce, but is it being achieved and, if so, how? Especially with the Covid-19 pandemic and the push to isolate — forcing employers, if possible, to send their staff to work from home — the idea of disconnecting and harmonizing life with work, and of a separation of work from life is more crucial. Giving yourself, and getting your boss’ permission, to turn off your screen and walk away to tend to family or your own mental health was prominent during this unusual time. A lot has been learned and realized throughout all of the changes and enforced mandates.

For businesses/employers, the focus was much less on ensuring employees signed in and out at the exact schedule they set forth and shifted, or should have, to the idea of the job still being done even if the hours looked slightly different. Peirce dives deep into countries and companies testing a shorter work week, which could vary from four days a week with longer hours; to five days with shorter hours; split shifts; as well as having employees work the same amount of hours they are used to but paying them overtime wages for working over 32 or 38 hours a week.

From clarifying labour laws, reasoning behind companies’ decisions, and the discussion of surveys to discover what’s important to staff and clients, this book offers insight, solutions, and recommendations to empower the reader to question the “normal” work week.

With many of us caught up in a nine to five Monday to Friday world, Peirce invites readers to challenge that concept and prove that a happier employee with a more balanced work/life schedule could actually benefit a company. With case studies that show production value of each staff member being improved, along with the environment benefitting from a reduced commute, and health care being less overwhelmed due to improved overall health, the book Work Less: New Strategies for a Changing Workplace should be offered in every staff room and board meeting around the world.

Jon Peirce has been writing about work hours and the world of work for much of the past twenty-five years. He has worked as a journalist, university professor, and union staffer, and is the author of Canadian Industrial Relations. Jon lives and writes in Gatineau, Quebec.

Publisher: Dundurn Press (Jan 30, 2024)
Paperback 9″ x 6″ | 296 pages
ISBN: 9781459751316

Sarah Butland

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I am a struggling artist, a challenging and challenged mother who always thinks she is failing, an emerging freelance writer and reporter, an author with my name on several books crossing genres and always hoping to find more readers who enjoy them.

I am also a successful artist, a wonderful and thriving mother of one, a reacher towards both people and dreams despite all of the turned backs and obstacles in my way. I am a thriving freelance writer and reporter, an author loved by enough readers to make it worthwhile and a discombobulated conundrum who loves to hear new music, tell new tales and meet new authors. And I’m doing something I always dreamed of doing – reviewing books to support others as well as myself and my family.