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

[KCUnited]

They obviously didn't categorize posting on CP as work hours for some of yall

[tooge]

I went to 3 days a week two years ago. I've been doing my job for 30 years though. I'm retiring end of next month!

[Spott]

I’ve been on vacation since Thursday and going back on the first, so I’m doing my best to help.

[George Liquor]

I feel like i live at work.

Shit sucks, i dont blame them.

[Bl00dyBizkitz]

Sounds like a good thing tbh.

[DaFace]

There's a pretty consistent view among younger generations that hard work (in terms of hours) doesn't necessarily lead to higher pay. That probably depends on the type of job, but I can't say I disagree with them. With real wages stagnant for ~50 years and seemingly everyone laying people off in the past few years, it's tough to feel particularly committed to your employer.

[chiefzilla1501]

I feel like there are two worlds right now. I am working way more for the same job because budgets have been tight for years and hiring is somewhat frozen.

But I feel like there is also a world where there isn't as much work to go around so it's nice to have employees work less hours and be happy versus working grueling hours. I feel like the future of work probably means more people but working less hours. Eventually we will have more jobs than people. So instead of picking up extra OT hours, the more ambitious will just find a side hustle

Its kind of a weird thing where both things are true at the same time.

[Pepe Silvia]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

We're like closed or something.

[2bikemike]

We're all freaking whores selling our bodies to employers or a business to make money! I became an OT whore for the final 15 years of my career to maximize my earnings.

I am now a pimp sending my whores (my money) out into the world to earn for me while I live a life of luxury.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by DaFace

There's a pretty consistent view among younger generations that hard work (in terms of hours) doesn't necessarily lead to higher pay. That probably depends on the type of job, but I can't say I disagree with them. With real wages stagnant for ~50 years and seemingly everyone laying people off in the past few years, it's tough to feel particularly committed to your employer.

The trust between employee and employer is as low as it has ever been from what I’ve seen.

People worked hard before because there was an incentive. Pensions, retirement benefits by a certain age and stability.

Millenials have seen boomers get screwed time and time again. I’ve seen people that were 1 year from being eligible for retirement health benefits for life and the company lays them off. A ton of companies don’t offer pensions anymore.

I left my last job in part because they stopped offering retirement benefits. It was age+years of service=75 to become eligible and they stopped offering it for anyone after 2023.

Companies are outsourcing jobs and laying off people in droves and want underpaid, controlled workers with shitty jobs and bad health insurance.

I’m glad this generation is starting to stand up to that. It’s bullshit

[kysirsoze]

I think quarantine and the stimulus gave people time to reevaluate their priorities. Working ourselves to the bone to maybe someday retire with security just didn't seem as appealing. Plus with wage stagnation and employees being increasing disposable, it seemed more difficult to even achieve that.

Also, recent appreciation for mental health and self care has people less likely to sacrifice their well being and happiness for a company that probably doesn't really give a shit about them.

I know that's not every company or boss, and I hope the good ones are flourishing in an environment where more employees are demanding to be treated like people.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

My last day in the corporate world is this Friday (28th).

I have been working 50+ hours/week for 13 years. Haven't had a real vacation in that time either.

Going to be my own boss and set some boundaries, for once.

I do not want to live to work.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by DaFace

There's a pretty consistent view among younger generations that hard work (in terms of hours) doesn't necessarily lead to higher pay. That probably depends on the type of job, but I can't say I disagree with them. With real wages stagnant for ~50 years and seemingly everyone laying people off in the past few years, it's tough to feel particularly committed to your employer.

Working hard is still rewarding, it just unfortunately takes hopping from job to job to realize that cash in. Not in all cases, but the need to do that is growing.

[BWillie]

Definitely true. I work 20 hours a week. Feels good.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

My last day in the corporate world is this Friday (28th).

I have been working 50+ hours/week for 13 years. Haven't had a real vacation in that time either.

Going to be my own boss and set some boundaries, for once.

I do not want to live to work.

Congrats. Thats right work to live baby!