8 Hours a Day, 5 Days a Week Is Not Working for Us
Article

8 Hours a Day, 5 Days a Week Is Not Working for Us

Bryce Covert
The New York Times, 2021
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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Controversial
  • Hot Topic
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While the pandemic brought about various restrictions, work-from-home schedules freed many Americans from time-consuming commutes. However, instead of investing their new-found time in personal pursuits, they worked three hours a day more. Entering the post-pandemic era, employees and employers are now fiercely debating when and whether they’ll return to the office. Economics journalist Bryce Covert is taking the debate a step further, asking not only whether employers should be allowed to dictate when and where their employees work, but suggesting they shouldn’t say how much employees should work, either.

Summary

American professionals are working more hours than ever, which negatively affects their health and well-being.

During the first pandemic lockdown in spring 2020, many Americans started working from home, which provided them with some time gained through not having to commute. However, the average American failed to dedicate that new-found time to personal pursuits. Instead, they added up to three extra hours to their workdays, filling it with Slack messages, Zoom calls or a second job.

Even before the pandemic, about eight million Americans worked 60 or more hours per week, and about a third of Americans put in at least 45 hours per week. Studies suggest that working long hours leads to greater tobacco and alcohol consumption, and to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, weight...

About the Author

Bryce Covert is an independent journalist covering the economy. Her work has appeared in The Nation, The Intercept, and The New York Times.

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