Nice article but it needs a reality check. It implies that the problem is with the workers who, overwhelmed as they are with the demands of the 21st century workplace, are now supposed to fix everything that's wrong with it. Just like financial columns advise workers to save for retirement when their frozen wages can't even address their bills and health insurance deductibles.
So, does anyone really believe that the average person wants to slave 60 hours a week or bring work home, esp. with the abysmal salaries that have not kept pace with soaring housing, food and medical costs? Of course not.
While there will always be workaholics, a recent poll shows that if given the choice between earning more money or having more time off, 9 out of 10 American workers would chose more time. The American Sleep Institute reports that the average workday has now regressed back to that of the Industrial Revolution, not just because of technology but because of the corporate culture that forces workers into robotic production. Most workers do not want to work such long hours; however, they have become "coerced workaholics," with one person forced to perform the tasks of 3 workers as companies scale back staff and turn workers into independent contractors to save bucks and benefits. So what workers really need is advice for how to deal with a workplace culture that leaves them very little time to sleep, eat proper balanced meals and spend quality time with their families. Women in particular bear the brunt of the overwhelm since they still remain the cooks, cleaners and caregivers at home after that long long workday, juggling domestic duty and child care while bringing all that work home. They need an article that addresses this reality.
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Nice article but it needs a reality check. It implies that the problem is with the workers who, overwhelmed as they are with the demands of the 21st century workplace, are now supposed to fix everything that's wrong with it. Just like financial columns advise workers to save for retirement when their frozen wages can't even address their bills and health insurance deductibles.
So, does anyone really believe that the average person wants to slave 60 hours a week or bring work home, esp. with the abysmal salaries that have not kept pace with soaring housing, food and medical costs? Of course not.
While there will always be workaholics, a recent poll shows that if given the choice between earning more money or having more time off, 9 out of 10 American workers would chose more time. The American Sleep Institute reports that the average workday has now regressed back to that of the Industrial Revolution, not just because of technology but because of the corporate culture that forces workers into robotic production. Most workers do not want to work such long hours; however, they have become "coerced workaholics," with one person forced to perform the tasks of 3 workers as companies scale back staff and turn workers into independent contractors to save bucks and benefits. So what workers really need is advice for how to deal with a workplace culture that leaves them very little time to sleep, eat proper balanced meals and spend quality time with their families. Women in particular bear the brunt of the overwhelm since they still remain the cooks, cleaners and caregivers at home after that long long workday, juggling domestic duty and child care while bringing all that work home. They need an article that addresses this reality.
March 19, 2015 - 8:50amThis Comment
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