Logic Question

[Peterson]

I wasn't sure where to post this. I have a feeling there is a flaw with this logic but I can't quite figure out what it is.

A group of employess are given a choice between a day off or work the eight hours and get time and a half. Person A takes the day off and gets paid for eight hours. Person B works that day, and gets time and a half. Who makes out better. The consenses around here is that Person A makes out better because Person B works eight more hours than Person A but only get paid for four more.

 

[Crossbow]

I guess the real question is, which does the person consider to be of more value, their money or their time?

If both Person A and Person B are getting say $ 10.00/hour.

Then Person A will get $ 80.00 and a day off, and Person B will have to work and get $ 120.00.

Now, then I am the type of person who almost always has something productive to do when I have spare time and I have a bit of disposable income so I would not worry too much about the lost money.

However, if I had nothing really special planned for that time off, I would work the day and enjoy the extra money later.

 

[BillyTK]

But person B has got four hours' more pay than person A. Depends on whether you think that's enough compensation for a day off work.

 

[Guest]

It's not a logic question at all, it's a judgement call.

Let's simpify. The regular daily pay cancels out of the equation, since both persons get it. Therefore you are left with: Person B trades 8 hours for 4 hours' pay. Person A does not, but has 8 free hours. The question of "who makes out better" is meaningless because different people will attach different values to those 8 free hours.

 

[Michael Redman]

I agree tht it's a judgment call, but 8 hours of work for 4 hours of pay seems like a silly judgment to me. I guess that shows you my priorities.

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Um. If it's 8 hours at time and a half, isn't that twelve hours' pay?


Or am I missing something?


NA

 

[Guest]

Um. If it's 8 hours at time and a half, isn't that twelve hours' pay?


Or am I missing something?


NA

Yes, you're missing something. BOTH people get the ordinary pay, so it cancels out of the equation.

 

[NoZed Avenger]

Ah -- Ok. I didn't see that the person is getting paid for the eight hours they are off. I figured I must have missed something, but could not for the life of me see it until you pointed it out (mental block or something). Thanks.

NA

 

[Gregor]

Person A lives in Germany (or some other leftist, socialist state) or is employed by the US government.

Person B is a greedy capitalist dog.

 

[whitefork]

The name of the bus driver is "Ralph".

 

[Argo Nimbus]

A group of employess are given a choice between a day off or work the eight hours and get time and a half. Person A takes the day off and gets paid for eight hours. Person B works that day, and gets time and a half.

That reminds me of situations that arose years ago when I worked for a railroad. A person normally would get holidays off and receive 8 hours regular pay. However, if he was required to work on the holiday, he not only received 8 hours holiday pay, he also received 8 hours time and a half, i.e. 20 hours regular pay total for the day. Seems only fair.

--- Argo