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Discover the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place

Discover the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place.

Discover the people and the projects trying to make the world a better place.

A weekly programme looking at common challenges around the world and the creative ways people are trying to tackle them.

Presenter Myra Anubi speaks to reporters, experts and innovators to investigate how effective different solutions are, share their successes and inspire listeners with what is possible.

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People Fixing The World: Working less for the same pay

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Working Less For The Same Pay

Working less for the same pay

BBC World Service - People Fixing The World, Working less for the same pay

Some companies are cutting the hours their staff work but keeping their pay the same

Working long hours doesn’t necessarily mean more work gets done, so some companies are reducing hours without cutting pay.

Matsuri Takahashi was 24 when she died. She took her own life after doing more than 100 hours overtime a month at a large advertising company in Japan.

She was a victim of karoshi  - dying as a result of overwork.  It’s a phenomenon that’s well known in Japan where stories of employees working ridiculously long hours – sometimes until four or five in the morning - are common. 

The government has introduced a new law to limit overtime, although critics say it doesn’t go far enough and the whole working culture needs to change. 

Working long hours doesn’t necessarily mean more work gets done, so elsewhere, a company in New Zealand has reduced hours without cutting pay.  Staff are given a day off each week if they can get five days’ work done in four. Should we all be doing this?

Presenter: Nick Holland
Reporters: Jamie Ryan and Mariko Oi

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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