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Time‐Inseparable Labor Productivity and the Workweek

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  • Maya Eden
Abstract
A centuries‐old tradition, the week constitutes a coordination device that allows for temporal agglomeration in both production and leisure. But does it induce coordination on the optimal workweek? Central to this question is the nature of time‐inseparability in labor productivity. Productivity is increasing in restfulness, which diminishes with work time, and in skill, which improves with work time. I show that, because skill accumulates and depreciates slowly, there are productivity gains from coordinating on a workweek with fewer but more frequent vacation days.

Suggested Citation

  • Maya Eden, 2021. "Time‐Inseparable Labor Productivity and the Workweek," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 123(3), pages 940-965, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:123:y:2021:i:3:p:940-965
    DOI: 10.1111/sjoe.12429
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    3. Gilbert Cette & Simon Drapala & Jimmy Lopez, 2023. "The Circular Relationship Between Productivity and Hours Worked: A Long-Term Analysis," Comparative Economic Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Association for Comparative Economic Studies, vol. 65(4), pages 650-664, December.

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