This is what I'd like to see: Companies be required to offer various plans, at the employees discretion, that have different pay rates. For instance, working

This is what I'd like to see: Companies be required to offer various plans, at the employees discretion, that have different pay rates. For instance, working 75% of 40 hours might get you 80% of the salary. (with the hope that you are at least a bit more productive during your more limited hours than you would be if doing 40 hours) Employees shouldn't be discriminated based on which plan they take. They just have to give a couple months notice if they change plans, especially if it is a small company where the impact might be greater. Benefits is a complication, but personally I'd prefer health insurance etc was just separated from employment. Regardless, if you work less hours, you'd probably have to chip in more toward insurance. This may still be costly to employers, but if all companies have to do it, it should work out. (sure, there are foreign competitors, but that is a different issue) And this can potentially help with unemployment.