Research shows that overwork, especially during young adulthood, can lead to a variety of problems. Surprisingly, only a quarter of study participants maintained traditional daytime hours, with the majority having variable work schedules such as night shifts or shift work schedules. This discrepancy in work schedules led to less sleep and increased susceptibility to depression and poor health by age 50. In fact, the costs of overwork manifest themselves in physical and mental health problems.
The effects of overwork are particularly severe for marginalized groups. Black men, women, and less educated workers disproportionately bear the burden of night shifts and inconsistent work schedules. For example, the study cited above states that college-educated white women with stable day jobs reported sleeping significantly more hours than black men with unstable employment histories. Moreover, lack of sleep due to overwork is not just a personal inconvenience. It’s a public health issue. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity are associated with poor sleep, and African Americans are at higher risk due to systemic factors.
Check out the 5 countries with the longest working hours in the world.
5. Qatar
Average working hours per week: 48.0
In Qatar, the culture of overwork at Qatar Airways has reached alarming levels. After layoffs, remaining employees are forced to fly long hours, putting both their health and the safety of passengers at risk. Even though employees are suffering from debilitating fatigue, they are reluctant to raise concerns for fear of retaliation or losing their jobs.
4. Congo
Average working hours per week: 48.6
The maximum workday is nine hours, and the maximum workweek is forty-five hours, according to the Congolese Labor Code. All public and private establishments, especially those focused on charitable and educational activities are subject to these regulations. Notably, these limitations are unaffected by legal by a worker’s gender or type of employment. The DRC requires higher remuneration for overtime work, ranging from a 30% to 60% pay increase based on the hours worked and the day involved, even though it doesn’t expressly forbid it.
3. Lesotho
Average working hours per week: 50.4
In Lesotho, the labor law provides for a probationary period of up to four months, after which employment becomes permanent. A typical work week is 45 hours, spread over 5 or 6 days. An employee on a 5-day system will work 9 hours per day, but an employee on a 6-day system will work 8 hours on the 5th day, and 5 hours on the 6th day. Overtime is limited to 11 hours per week and is charged at 25% of base pay.
2. United Arab Emirates
Average hours worked per week: 50.9
Job opportunities in the UAE are on the rise, with new jobs increasing by 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. This growth is driven by excess demand due to real interest rates. These include real estate and digital media, data and AI, with the real estate sector alone recording a staggering 11% increase in job opportunities. There is a growing demand for digital, data and AI talent in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Additionally, the UAE’s economic outlook remains promising, with GDP growth projected to be 4.2% in 2024 and 5.2% in 2025.
1. Bhutan
Average working hours per week: 54.4
Bhutan not only has the longest working hours in the world, but also has a youth unemployment rate of 29% and an average economic growth rate of 29%. , labor and employment challenges are also serious. In the past five years about 29% he is 1.7%. Furthermore, the lure of better opportunities abroad has led to a brain drain, with Australia becoming the main destination for Bhutanese migrants. Approximately 15,000 visas are issued annually to Bhutanese, who account for almost 2% of Bhutan’s population.