The “Keep Sunday Special Campaign” of the eighties was presented by the opposition as Christian killjoys who want everything closed. It was rarely understood that this was a joint campaign by Christians and Trade Unions who cared about the wellbeing of the workers. The object was to oppose the deregulation of Sundays to turn it into just another working day. Obviously it lost the battle.
Lock down has now given us a taste of Sabbath. Time away from work for millions. Many families have discovered the joys of family walks and cycle rides, spending time together, board games, conversation. It is important to acknowledge the profoundly negative impact of lockdown on some sectors of society; but that is not the focus of this reflection.
Even before the disruption of Lockdown, many companies were exploring cutting the working week. Not out of altruism – that is not a common trait from big companies trying to make money – but because they identified that they may actually get more work out of an employee with a 4 day week than a 5.
We will need some radical rethinking of our working patterns as we emerge from Lockdown into this unknown Covid-19 world. One of them is increased working from home for at least some of the week to enable social distancing. This will have the knock on effect of reduced commuters, hence traffic.
This would be an ideal time to revisit the concept of Sabbath rest as we explore new patterns of paid work; and bring into that consideration of life outside work.
Building into our week one day when we do no paid work has enormous benefits. We will all know that most people are free to meet up. Families and friends who live at a distance can more easily get together. We can build on the helpful patterns learned during lockdown of family walks and cycle rides. We can learn to develop ways of living which are not dependent on shopping and consumption which should then produce a smaller eco-footprint.
Breaking the relentless nature of work that many people experience; having a clear off to get away from the desk, the computer; positively to get outside into the great spaces we have in this country … all of these will have a beneficial impact on our general mental health and will potentially increase productivity and boost the economy.
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