A New Wake-Up Call

The longer work day was re-discovered this weekend by both the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

"By a wide variety of indicators, from electricity to water consumption, more U.S. households are starting their days before dawn," according to WSJ. "Businesses are taking note. CNN and CNBC moved their main morning shows an hour earlier to 6 a.m." Staples now opens 100 of its stores at 7 a.m. Even internet boutique Bluefly.com posts all new items by 6:30 a.m.

NYT reported on transit changes that now "reflect a workday without bounds." "Forget 9 to 5, some New Yorkers are pulling 6-to-5 shifts, while others are working 9 to 9." In response, transit systems "that were conceived in a less-flexible era are revamping their service and rewriting their schedules."

Twenty years ago, only 1 in every 68 morning commuters to Grand Central Station arrived by 7 a.m., reports NYT. "Last year, one of every 13 did."

The implications of this for government and civic leaders are significant. How long should citizen service be available (preferably 24/7 online) and when do you schedule a meeting?

  

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