Is it just me or is the average American workweek getting longer and longer?

Question

I used to think 40-hour workweeks were the norm, but now it seems corporate downsizing is pressuring people to work 60 or more, including weekends. I know some people claim that working the extra hours is a personal choice, but it seems that there is pressure from top management to work those extra hours or risk not making the cut during the next downsizing period (which definitely takes the choice out of it). I also understand that America is one of only a few developed countries that doesn't have mandatory vacation time. Is corporate greed causing the average American to work longer and longer hours, basically against his or her will?

Answer 1

Where I work, it is expected that you work overtime when they need it, no questions asked. We normally have 40 hour weeks, but most employees here average about 50. Any discussion leads to an arguement and a threat of being fired. They claim if you file for unemployment, you will not qualify because they asked you to work overtime and you refused. They pay time and a half for overtime, but yell and complain at your overtime hours. There is no way to win where I work. We also get only 2 weeks vacation time. I think in Austria or Germany they get 8 weeks. Most European nations are between 4 and 6 weeks. I guess that's why America was on top but now being caught by the rest of the world; we are burning ourselves out.

To answer your question, the American work week has been 40 hours for some time and still is. Corporate greed pushes us to work harder for fear of our jobs; overseas outsourcing has cost millions of $$$ in labor here and put more $$$ in the fat cat's pockets at the expense of American jobs. Those who have their jobs feel the pressure to work themselves to the limit to keep their way of life.

Answer 2

Yes, the workweek is getting longer for those workers who have full time jobs. At the same time, less hours of work are provided for casual workers, temps, independent contractors, part timers, day laborers and other marginally employed workers. Basically, Corporate America is trying to wring every last ounce of productivity from it's permanent workers, and using casual labor to fill in the gaps that the full timers can't fill.

Answer 3

Can't you see, Americans are being turned into slaves. We are no longer a Nation of Producers, we are now a Nation of Consumers. We are slaves to our desire for more "Stuff". Supply and Demand shows that we are at the mercy of utilities and taxing agencies because no matter what it costs we will have our electronics, suv's and energy!
The Native Americans showed astonishment in their early writings at how the white man was such a slave to hard labor and didn't understand how to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Every generation has worked hard for the betterment of the following generation, until now it is a bunch of spoiled people with an overrated sense of entitlement.
I point a finger at myself as well as others and sorry so loooong!

good luck & blessing

Answer 4

The average standard work week is actually declining from 40 hours to 35 hours. If someone chooses to work longer hours, I believe that overtime pay is still in effect for exempt workers.

If workers choose not to work extra hours, it is still their choice.