Is cutting working hours the way to save jobs?

A recent poll conducted by www.recruiter.co.uk suggested that when employers were faced with a choice on the future of their job most employees would rather cut their hours than loose their job all together. The online web poll also suggested that 6% would rather take a pay cut and 7% will accept a sabbatical.

The BBC have today reported that Jaguar Land Rover are to vote on a four day week and a pay freeze for one year in the aim of stopping compulsory job losses for the next two years. If results from this latest web poll are anything to go by it could indicate which way Jaguar Land Rover will vote. The decision of a leading multi national company cutting working hours in order to save jobs could lead to other employers following suit impacting on standard working hours during the current recession.

Comment by Tom Sweeney on February 23, 2009 at 3:20pm: Matt.... I agree with this blog. The Canadian Federal Government has a plan similar to this that is not widely known. There is a related article at: http://sweens.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/job-cuts-can-i-avoid-them/

Comment by Frank Viarra on February 23, 2009 at 4:00pm: It's easy to say that employees will take a pay cut because at least they'll still have a job; it does make sense. But it recently happened to a friend of mine and needless to say, she was PO'd! They cut her salary in half and let her know in a horrible manner. While she's happy she's still employed, shes already making plans to cut back on her efforts... Not that I condone that, but it's representative of how a lot of people feel in that situation. Layoffs aren't the answer, however, in every situation. http://realliferecruiting.blogspot.com/