As the new year unfolds, many Americans are setting goals that extend beyond personal fitness and health, focusing instead on work-related aspirations. According to Pew Research, approximately one-third of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, with a significant portion centered on career ambitions like finding a new job or exploring a new career path.
We, an organizational psychologist and a philosopher, have studied the motivations behind why people work and what they sacrifice in return. It is crucial for professionals to consider how work impacts their physical and mental health and how to achieve a balanced work-life dynamic.
The Evolution of the Workweek
For many Americans, the concept of a 40-hour workweek, typically from nine to five, is taken for granted as a standard schedule. This notion permeates popular culture, famously depicted in the 1980 film “9 to 5” starring Dolly Parton. However, this schedule wasn’t always the norm.
Before the Great Depression, a six-day workweek was common, with Sundays reserved for rest. Over time, the idea of a 40-hour workweek emerged, bolstered by labor unions and formalized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms. Despite technological advancements, this schedule has remained surprisingly resilient.
Longer Hours in America
While workers in wealthier countries typically enjoy shorter work hours, Americans often work more hours on average. For many, this is a reflection of a culture that prioritizes work over leisure. Factors such as job dissatisfaction or lack of purpose can affect workplace satisfaction, with only one-third of employed Americans reporting they are thriving.
Employee engagement is at a historic low, and burnout is on the rise, particularly among those working more than 45 hours a week. However, there is a slight decrease in the average work hours from 44 hours in 2019 to under 43 hours in 2024, a trend more pronounced among younger workers who are increasingly rejecting the “hustle culture.”
Challenging the Culture of Overwork
Anne-Marie Slaughter introduced the term “time macho” to describe the prevailing belief that longer work hours equate to superior performance. Similarly, “face time” in the office is often mistakenly viewed as a measure of commitment.
Research suggests that increased hours can actually reduce productivity due to fatigue. Even when individuals can choose their work hours, the pressure to demonstrate commitment often leads to longer hours.
Experiments with a Shorter Workweek
Exploring alternatives like a four-day workweek could alleviate this pressure. Trials of this model, which involves working 32 hours over four days for the same pay, have shown positive results across various sectors, including government and tech. Productivity remained high, and employees enjoyed better work-life balance.
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The Role of Technology in Work Hours
Technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence, are often discussed as a means to reduce work hours. However, the reality may be more complex, as the benefits of AI are likely to be distributed unevenly, increasing the intensity and expectations of work.
Economist John Maynard Keynes once predicted a future of 15-hour workweeks, a vision that seems far from realization as 2030 approaches. Instead of reducing hours, technology may be increasing work stress and productivity demands.
Rethinking Work-Life Balance
For many adults, work consumes the majority of their waking hours, leaving little time for personal pursuits. If circumstances allow, reevaluating work schedules could be beneficial. Demonstrating to employers that core tasks can be completed within desired hours could facilitate this shift.
For those with the privilege to choose, influencing work hours for others can promote a healthier work culture. As the new year begins, considering changes to work routines may open the door to a more balanced life.
