When will Americans realize the 40 hour work week isn't normal?

[John_Doesnt]

Is there any wonder why Americans are crazy, stupid and violent if they work 8 hours a day 5 days a week with only 1 week of vacation a year? It's time to stop watching Fox News about "work ethic" and start working smart instead of hard.

Think bitches!

[TremorJay]

Yeah, maybe I agree, but how do you propose we continue to be competitive in the global economy, while working less hours? You've got to be able to make the argument that a shorter workweek is a net positive, instead of simply calling Americans stupid and crazy

[John_Doesnt]

Other countries manage to compete by working less hours. And you're stupid for not knowing that.

[TremorJay]

Hilarious

[andreasderjuengere]

I opted to work even smarter: my job fascinates me and satisfies me.
So I can work also on Sundays -if I want to- without feeling that I miss something in life.
I still find more than enough time for non-work-related interests.

[John_Doesnt]

that's nice for people who can afford it, but most cannot afford it.

[andreasderjuengere]

True: Not all have a choice. But -also- not all are lucky to 'work smart' as you called it? If they are indeed 'lucky', that is.
To work -and also to work much - is not necessarily a burden, or a negative thing. And to have plenty of free time is worth nothing when it isn't filled up with something that makes sense.
See: outside of my work time I am quite active in my veggie garden - that's additional work; I sort of volunteered for it... because it gives me satisfaction.

[Dare38]

Wow only 40 hrs a week.
I wish the work week was so short.

[John_Doesnt]

your profile says Canada and the average work week is 36.6 for Canadians.
www.topuniversities.com/.../differences-average-working-hours-around-world

[Dare38]

If that is true & it probably is then I'm waaaayyy over the average.

[meesegoMoo]

what's you schedule like? I only bill for 30 hours a week but probably put in 60

[Dare38]

@meesegoMoo Rules allow us to put in up to 70 hrs a week.

[meesegoMoo]

Nice. Hard to do, but nice. My step-father used to work 20hr shifts 7 days a week at the height of the North Dakota oil boom. He was super happy when the law stepped in and told the company that was illegal. One can end up working more than they can sustain.

[John_Doesnt]

@meesegoMoo Americans are having more abortions now because of the coronavirus. I thought I should inform as many people about this.

[Lunatic1]

I have known for years, but most people are just burying their heads in the sand. Nixon said while he was president that the 30 hour work week was inevitable in "our time".

[MrSlim]

A 40 hour work week isn't normal for most of the world, we have it too easy. I wish I only had to work 40 hours.

[Hyper2]

What is the average work week globally? It's 40 hours where I live and I think it's good.

[John_Doesnt]

We shouldn't look at globally because most of the world doesn't have decent labor rights especially places like China and India which both have over 1 billion people working way over 40 hours a week.

[Hyper2]

So how many hours should a work week be?

[John_Doesnt]

Germany just got a 28 hour work week and their economy is doing fine. More importantly they have more vacation time and more lunch time to eat their food. Because Americans only get 30 minutes they eat processed food and get fat.
money.cnn.com/.../index.html
In Sweden it's similar with much more vacation than America.
www.statista.com/.../

[Hyper2]

Did you read the cnn article?

[John_Doesnt]

yes, they won the fight for a fair work week recently. I know this isn't the norm yet, but they succeeded in making a change. America can do it too. It's possible to reduce the work week.

[John_Doesnt]

I also read that the work week will could go back to normal after 2 years, but this is proof that change is possible.

[Hyper2]

No it doesn't because it's not an actual change if things go back to normal. Look at the workers who fought for that ( engineers) highly in demand job so they have more leverage than the average worker. The article also says that most companies offer flexible working hours yet people choose to work longer hours.

Now look at Germany's population and compare it to the US. That temporary model cannot work in the US and 90% of counties worldwide.

[John_Doesnt]

it's proof that a change is possible. Do you have any proof that change is impossible?

[MountAverage]

I agree. America is a shithole in many regards. This is one of them.

[Anonymous]

I don't think everyone HAS to work 40 hours a week. That's just the legal maximum. I think...

[Anonymous]

Why should we be lazy just because you are?

[John_Doesnt]

I work 40 hours a week and that's why I'm complaining. It's not normal.

[Opinion Owner]

It is normal if you want to be successful.

[John_Doesnt]

No it's not normal. Most Americans are depressed and go on killing sprees.

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah ok sure

[John_Doesnt]

you're just an angry chick on PMS

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah that's it. Good job

[John_Doesnt]

you don't even have a job do you?

[Opinion Owner]

I'm not the one about complaing about working... the way you are attacking me I'm assuming you just got turned down or dumped

[Anonymous]

I work for myself and pull 50-70 hour weeks

[John_Doesnt]

It's different if you work for yourself. You get to decide your hours. Most people don't get to decide. They can work full time or not get work at all.

[Plitty-Tank]

That is too much work.

[EABsTUQ]

We they die.