reduce working hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce working hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in various contexts, such as when advocating for a change within a business to decrease the amount of hours a worker is expected to put in. For example, "The staff members are becoming overwhelmed and need relief; therefore, I strongly suggest we reduce working hours for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

So should we still aim to reduce working hours?

The New York Times

Many employers reduce working hours to accommodate fasting employees, and television stations voluntarily censor sexually suggestive scenes from programs.

The New York Times

The changes would include giving employers more flexibility to reduce working hours in times of economic distress without incurring union strikes.

The New York Times

If elected, he wants to renegotiate European treaties or leave the European Union, reduce working hours and greatly increase public spending to support economic growth.

The New York Times

Some of the credit goes to Germany's education and employment system for young workers, and to German policies that encourage employers facing downturns to reduce working hours rather than fire workers.

The New York Times

In 2003, the Government sought to accelerate junior doctor training by creating a more structured programme; it also agreed to the EWTD [European Working Time Directive] to reduce working hours to a maximum of 48 hours by 2009.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

According to Kleven, the gender gap is driven in roughly equal parts by reduced wages, reduced working hours and a higher likelihood of leaving the workforce.

The Washington Post

We've reduced working hours.

The Guardian

The experiment included free medical care, reduced working hours and a village discount store.

The New York Times - Travel

In Germany, unions and managers reduced working hours to minimize layoffs.

The New York Times

Mr. Potter said the agency reduced working hours by 50 million in 2008 and hoped to double that this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for changes in work schedules, use "reduce working hours" to clearly communicate the intent to decrease the amount of time employees spend working, potentially improving work-life balance and productivity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce working hours" when the intention is simply to redistribute hours among employees or tasks, rather than an overall decrease in the total hours worked. Ensure the reduction leads to fewer hours for individuals or the entire workforce.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce working hours" functions as a verb phrase that expresses the action of decreasing the number of hours spent working. This can be interpreted as an instruction, a suggestion, or a description of a policy change, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce working hours" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used expression that functions as a verb phrase advocating for or informing about a decrease in the time allocated for work. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Alternative phrases like "decrease work time" or "shorten working hours" offer similar meanings, though "reduce working hours" is widely understood and accepted in various settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the intention is genuinely to decrease the total working time, rather than merely redistribute it. By understanding its nuances and contexts, writers can effectively use "reduce working hours" to communicate their message accurately and persuasively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease work time

Changes the verb to 'decrease' and uses 'work time' for a slightly more general term.

shorten working hours

Replaces 'reduce' with 'shorten', focusing on the duration of work.

cut back on working hours

Emphasizes a reduction from a previous level using the phrasal verb 'cut back'.

lessen work hours

Uses 'lessen' as a synonym for reduce, implying a smaller quantity of hours.

lower the number of hours worked

Specifies reducing 'the number of hours' for clarity and precision.

scale down work hours

Implies a proportional reduction of work using 'scale down'.

downsize working hours

Uses 'downsize' to suggest a more significant or structural reduction.

adjust working hours downward

Adds directionality to the adjustment, indicating a decrease.

moderate the hours spent working

Uses 'moderate' for a gentler reduction, implying balance.

curtail working hours

Implies a restriction or limitation of working hours.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce working hours" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce working hours" in a sentence like this: "The company decided to "reduce working hours" to improve employee morale." or "We need to "reduce working hours" to comply with the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "reduce working hours"?

Some alternatives to "reduce working hours" include "decrease work time", "shorten working hours", or "cut back on working hours", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "reduce working hours" or "decrease working hours"?

Both "reduce working hours" and "decrease working hours" are correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the impact of policies that "reduce working hours" on the workforce?

Policies that "reduce working hours" can have various impacts, including improved employee well-being, increased productivity, and potential adjustments in compensation or staffing levels. The specific effects depend on how the policy is implemented and the context of the workplace.