It’s time to shorten the average work-day to 6 hours.

And I propose shortening the average work-day to 6 hours because shortening the work-day would create jobs and create more time for worker's to engage in personal health and healthy parenting. Nevertheless, despite my opinion this proposal is often met with harsh criticism… mostly because our country has implemented, “the 8 hour work-day,” since the early 1900’s. Furthermore, today our President claims that the current economy is booming leaving no need to change the length of the work day, which is a focal point of resistance. Nevertheless, Google also states that;

“When unemployment ticked down to 3.7 percent in September of 2018 that marked the lowest job-less rate since December 1969."

-The Bureau Of Labor Statistics.

But whether you trust these types of internet based statistics or not… the heart of this issue remains the same and that is, “everyone needs to earn a living,” and shortening the average work-day could potentially... create more jobs. However, working in NYC today and earning a living can be multi-faceted where working extra hours for grocery money, working two jobs or staying up long hours, is not uncommon here in New York. However, consider that the average 8 hour work-day plus transit is really more like a 10 hour day for most Americans and it’s easy to see why mental health and pharmaceutical drugs continue to plague this country. Still, the old reality continues and throughout almost every American citizen’s quest to earn a living a lack of free time exists! Nevertheless, while rationalizing my idea to shorten the average work-day I turned to an unlikely place… baseball.

Part analogy… but also, “a congruent reality,” Major League Baseball has been working more players into their line-ups this season, giving more players rests, while also creating more jobs through shortened work days.

So why not follow suit Corporate America?

In fact, the Yankee’s are basically treating the first half of their 162 game season as an extension of the minor leagues… at times this year playing 6 or 7 reserve players and giving perrenial all-stars much needed time off. Yet, in doing so it has often felt like a minor league Yankee’s club almost chameleon-ing themselves to fit in with the growing number of franchises in Major League Baseball, like the Tampa Bay Rays who have been relegated to the B-side of the league.

Regardless, it’s true that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in America. So, by treating the first half of the monotonously long 162 game season like an extension of the Minor Leagues the Yankee’s have chameleon-ed themselves into making, “the baseball wealth gap,” not seem so egregious.

I also believe that all of the Yankee’s are not truly hurt but that some have essentially faked injury's as many American worker's have congruently taken to Medicaid and Social Security Disability income, in recent years. Which is an analogy for the economy as a whole, as well. Whereby, in my opinion and an off-shoot or, “a congruent reality,” to the broader spectrum of labor laws today is witnessing pro-athletes relating to their fans by simultaneously managing their club like the greater US economy! Because with baseball players now, “pacing themselves,” for a grueling 162 game season many players have begun taking extended leaves of absence similar to any American worker taking a vacation, as well as creating jobs for younger players. Furthermore, this strategy is simultaneously profitting the league by creating the illusion that smaller markets can compete which is akin to big businesses in America today giving smaller businesses a sense of false hope through once and a lifetime opportunities like Mark Zuckerburg's movie!

In conclusion, should we not shorten the Major League Baseball season? And why not shorten the season for the rest of America also? Because as common workers normalize holding 2 jobs and as it continues to become increasingly difficult to own; a car, a home and a savings account, I’ve noticed that many businesses are increasing their reliance upon, “part time workers.” Meaning, that by scheduling shorter hours and more shifts more people can get an opportunity… because 162 games… is just too many.

-William Larsen