Americans are working less

[HemiEd]

I have my own theories on this, such as the stay at home working during covid and the stimulus money being the worst thing that has happened in a very long time.


Why Americans Are Working Less

Gallup finds that average hours worked have dropped progressively since 2019 when U.S. employees reported working an average of 44.1 hours. In 2024, they work 42.9 hours per week.

The decline in hours worked is more pronounced among younger (those younger than 35) than older workers (those aged 35 and older). Between 2019 and 2024, older employees have seen an average reduction of just under one hour per person per week, while younger employees have reduced their hours by nearly two hours.

Over a year, that’s the equivalent of older employees taking an extra week off of work and younger employees taking two weeks. These trends apply to full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week.

Possible Reasons for the Drop in Average Hours Worked per Week
Several new findings may explain this shift:

Overall employee wellbeing has been on the decline.
Employees now have less trust in institutions in general and feel more detached from their employers.
After a decade of steady improvement, employee engagement has reverted to its 2014 level.
Advances in technology may be making work more efficient. Gallup finds that nearly half (45%) of employees say AI has helped them improve their productivity. However, a workforce that is becoming more technically efficient and less engaged may lack the motivation needed for long-term growth.
Employees -- especially younger ones -- now place a higher priority on their overall wellbeing. In fact, work-life balance and better overall wellbeing now rank among the most important considerations when choosing a new job.
Additionally, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows declines in overall hours worked per person, particularly in industries that traditionally employ more young workers such as retail, leisure and hospitality.

The Connection Between Hours Worked and Employee Burnout
Burnout may be a major reason why employees are working fewer hours. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified “burnout” as a work-related syndrome resulting from chronic stress.

Previous Gallup research has found that an unmanageable workload is one of the contributing factors to burnout. This may help explain why employees report higher burnout (very often or always) as the number of hours they work rises above 45 hours per week.

more here

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/658...78644b3aaad4a0

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Self-driving car tech will probably have taken over before that point

I thought about that right after I posted that. I think self-driving still have a ways to go before mass acceptance.

The tech for phones already exists and as more vehicle manufacturers adopt Android Auto and Car Play, it will become more prevalent. I've already seen demos where enabling Android Auto disables the phone's screen so that you can only interface with it via the auto's console or via voice commands.

[IowaHawkeyeChief]

Originally Posted by Fish

Employers no longer offering pensions. Employers doing everything they can to not pay employees health insurance. Stagnant wages for decades, despite record profits and CEO pay skyrocketing. The largest corporations like Walmart have the most employees receiving welfare benefits. While bullying themselves into a monopoly status, regardless of laws against it. Now there are no more small town department stores at all.

We allowed corporations to acquire too much power in the name of capitalism. They've done nothing but throw their workers into the grinder. And we're supposed to be shocked that employees don't prioritize their work above the rest of their shitty life?

That free market capitalism has created a pretty good quality of life compared to most of the world. Poor in this country is a 50" flatscreen and an Iphone 8 for 80% of the population. I would argue that the importation of low skilled labor and NAFTA was most detrimental to the middle class, and forced wages down or overseas.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The technology already exists. Newer cars can already use it. There will be a day when you can't use your phone while driving.

If the car drives for you let ppl use their phone

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

I thought about that right after I posted that. I think self-driving still have a ways to go before mass acceptance.

The tech for phones already exists and as more vehicle manufacturers adopt Android Auto and Car Play, it will become more prevalent. I've already seen demos where enabling Android Auto disables the phone's screen so that you can only interface with it via the auto's console or via voice commands.

Yeah, there’ll definitely be some holdouts - namely the older gens - but I think basically anyone, liiiike, 40 and under will welcome it with open arms. Being able to bullshit on your phone, text, watch movies, Netflix, etc. on your commute will be a game changer I think most can’t wait for.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Not all old people do....

You are far from old, Mos.

[Smed1065]

Life is even crazier than me. Homeless, an addict and never give up. Now 2 homes etc. I have to quit giving my $$ up tho. Went thru a million helping folks. But 1 Million is good for me. I live on like $20,000 a year except when I go to Chiefs games.

[Smed1065]

Just a simple man it seems.

[tyecopeland]

Originally Posted by ThyKingdomCome15

I work 50 hours a week most generally

This is me as well. I set myself up as salaried though. Family business that I am getting close to running on my own. I basically work 6:30-5:30 M-F with an hour lunch. Some Saturdays but very few.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

The technology already exists. Newer cars can already use it. There will be a day when you can't use your phone while driving.

I worked on a project in 2005 or so that was involved in land based, self driving attack vechiles. Being like a drone but grounded. There were some problems. Never heard whether they pulled it off.

[displacedinMN]

I easily work 10-12 hours a week beyond contract time.

[notorious]

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

I easily work 10-12 hours a week beyond contract time.

You are in a field that sucks when it comes to capped income, at least in public schools.

They have their scales, and the experience tiers which show what you can be paid.

[displacedinMN]

Originally Posted by notorious

You are in a field that sucks when it comes to capped income, at least in public schools.

They have their scales, and the experience tiers which show what you can be paid.

true. A little unsure what I want to do next year. Lots of things going on in my mind.

[TripleThreat]

I work from home. I probably get, the same amount, most likely, more done working from home than if I was in the office. I also, obviously, also get more done at home..

When I’m in the office I dgaf because you can’t tell me I’m not working if I’m at my cubicle… at home, if I’m gone for 1 hour doing grocery shopping and dishes?? Shit I come back to my desk blazing through my work…

[tyecopeland]

Originally Posted by notorious

You are in a field that sucks when it comes to capped income, at least in public schools.

They have their scales, and the experience tiers which show what you can be paid.

Teaching is an odd one. I taught in public schools for 6 years. My last year I was making about 50k for 9.5 months of work with free health insurance and the Missouri teacher retirement is hella good. BUT I was 9 hours a day 5 days a week at minimum. So it was maybe 25/hr. So you had to do something else during the summer months. And I knew a lot of teachers in Springfield that worked night jobs on Thursday-Sunday during the school year.

[teedubya]

And the explosion of AI, Ai Agents, Model Context Protocol, Topographical Quantum Qubits, and Active Inference... all of which are steamrolling to Superintelligence...

Most human resources will become marginalized and many will be obsolete.

So, you need to learn about this shit, or you'll be a have-not.