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How many hours should one work per day?

Doing our jobs effectively helps an economy to grow. How much hours in a day should one work? Too many hours takes a lot of time from your personal life - you live for your job. Unfortunately it's exhausting so eventually you'll get tired mentally, which influence your effectiveness. Few hours could possibly hurt the economy (when implemented on whole society) and the company that you work in. But this way, the job is only part of your life, that helps you enjoy it.

How many hours make the balance?

Topics: job
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  • Nina Kearney

    • +2
    Mar 19 2013: When I was stationed in Germany over a decade ago, the common work schedule for most civilian/host nationals was Tuesday through Friday; 7am to 5pm except on Friday's which was until about 3pm, Perhaps my memory is cloudy, however this was very productive. Work was completed and most were socializing by 4pm over an alcoholic libation.

    I comment on this because few felt they didn't have time to complete necessary task, didn't have time for family, or a combination of the two. The military member however had quite a different view; though that is for another dialogue. What I observed was while there were fewer hours worked, more seemed to get accomplished. This seemed because people had their free-time respected and knew the expectations of the workplace.

    I am fairly sure times have changed. Wouldn't it be grand if most people could work Tuesday through Thursday ten or twelve hours a day, off by noon on Friday, and not be back into work until Tuesday? I believe a lot more could be accomplished, people would be happier and healthier, and (dare I say) perhaps find more gratitude.

    My opinion only...

    • Dor Cohen

      • 0
      Mar 19 2013: Sounds nice! Though I'm against working above 9 hours. BTW how much time it took to get to work? In my country I spend 3 hours on the roads every day (both directions). When working 9 hours, and spending 3 hours on the roads, not much is left as free time...

      • Nina Kearney

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        Mar 20 2013: Time to work depended on where you lived. Some people lived a few minutes from work; others four or more towns away. It really just depended. People worked more during the day to have time away from work. 30-40 hours was worked during those days. It worked well and people seemed to like it fine.
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    pat gilbert 50+

    • 0
    Mar 19 2013: No less than you want and no more than 24 hours

  • george lockwood 20+

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    Mar 18 2013: I met the economy once, and he said his name is Bob. Let the force be with you, and I hope that as much work as you want at a living wage is available - just like Bob hopes too.

    • Dor Cohen

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      Mar 18 2013: I wish I'd understand posts like this

      • george lockwood 20+

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        Mar 19 2013: You mentioned "helps the economy to grow." Does the economy want to grow? Okay now trying to explain better - A country or whatever is us. What is best for the individuals working? Usually that expression is used by an economist on purpose or accidentially to manipulate us. The
        United Staes is now in the fifth Yahoo land deal. That is a reference to the fact that promotors have stolen entire states and manipulated many. See Charles Mckay's book on bubbles. It's two centuries old but still accurate.

        • Dor Cohen

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          Mar 19 2013: Hi,
          Thanks for explaining.
          I don't understand much in economics but I think that when the economy grows, it eventually helps the individuals: bigger paycheck, better services given by the country, more job positions etc.
          When country A isn't as productive as country B, less money would flow to country A.
          Depending on the country's laws, it impacts it's income (if taxes involved) and people would get fired from their workplace.

  • edulover learner 10+

    • +1
    Mar 18 2013: Hi Dear Dor Cohen,how do you understand'work'?I understand it in my work in this way:I am a teacher,I understand the teaching job is significant,meanwhile I understand the teaching job can be happened anytime,anywhere,and I understand the teaching job also means learning:when I am school,I teach and I learn,when I am home,I also teach and learn,when I am together with community,I teach and learn too.So I like myself to understand my job with my life together.I don't like to divide it from my life.
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      Fritzie Reisner 100+

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      Host
      Mar 18 2013: How well put and teacherly! I am like you.

      • edulover learner 10+

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        Mar 19 2013: Hi Dear Fritzie Reisner,i feel happy to have you being company

    • Dor Cohen

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      Mar 18 2013: Hi,
      The attitude presented in your post is positive, I wish I could think so too. But I also think that it's a bit naive/idealized to think like that... When you're doing your job, you must keep on work's deadlines. You're oblige to provide a minimum work capacity, and in our competitive world, nothing would be enough. The emphasis is on things you *must* do.
      But when you're not working, you don't really have to do these things. You're not expected to keep deadlines, get to work on specific times nor trying your best at doing your job.

      Of course you "teach & learn" everywhere, in some manner, but you must to excel at this in your workplace.

      • edulover learner 10+

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        Mar 19 2013: Hi Dear Dor Cohen,I am born a bit naive and idealized:).That's why I always think the teaching job is the most suitable job for me.
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