I think part of OP's point is that there would be tradeoffs. Reducing work hours by 1/5th will reduce work output by some large fraction of that. Companies woul

I think part of OP's point is that there would be tradeoffs. Reducing work hours by 1/5th will reduce work output by some large fraction of that. Companies would have to compensate for that by hiring more employees or reducing their products or services, either of which will tend to increase prices. Price increases or wage cuts would cause people who are in constrained financial situations to have to look for a 2nd job, thereby negating the effect of the policy. Sure things can change, but there are underlying realities which constrain how they can change.