Why we shouldnt work so hard.
The week's news at a glance.
Germany
Nicola Holzapfel
Süddeutsche Zeitung
Germans need to take a rest, said Nicola Holzapfel in Munich’s Süddeutsche Zeitung. The newest research on labor shows definitively that productivity starts to fall off after six hours of work—and accidents increase dramatically. In any given week, any more than 35 to 38 hours of work is wasted at best, damaging at worst. Companies that encourage their employees to linger after hours “are only hurting themselves.” They could actually get more out of their people “by sending them home early.” These findings, though, have yet to have an impact. Nearly one–third of Germans work an “overlong week” of more than 42 hours. And more than three–quarters of us do at least part of our work after 5 p.m. or on weekend shifts. The trend toward flextime was supposed to be worker–friendly, but it turns out that working those off–hours throws off our bodies and kills our social lives. The message is clear: “Work less.” And if you must log in extra hours because the boss is watching, be sure to “take lots of breaks.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
The Finest Summer Flavours
By Sponsored Content Published
-
Today's political cartoons - May 20, 2024
Cartoons Monday's cartoons - flags flipped, Diddy dunked, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Diddy admits to beating girlfriend after video
Speed Read Though he previously denied allegations of abuse, Combs apologized for abusing Cassie Ventura following the release of new CCTV footage
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published