27-Oct-2010 10:43

Do you work far too hard?

According to Wikipedia, 'working time' is defined as the period of time that an individual spends at paid occupational labour & Government laws do regulate minimum rest periods, annual holiday allowances and the maximum number of working hours per week or per month.

Most European countries stipulate a normal business working week as Monday through Friday - 35 to 40 hours depending on contracts. Indeed 'The EU Working Time Directive' states that workers cannot be forced to work for more than 48 hours per week on average (although the UK allows individuals to opt out if they so choose)

However, are these really applicable to the very many who run independent businesses, are 'bosses', business owners, management or even those who want to 'be seen' to be hard-workers to achieve promotion or are simply in fear of redundancies & possible 'downsizing' in times of austerity..

I did a quick calculation for my average working week and found that - although I never work on a Saturday - my typical working week was about 65+ hours (& that is 'full hours' i.e. not time spent at work chatting, asleep at my desk or having endless coffee breaks or water-cooler periods….)

True, I suppose I'm a bit of a workaholic, and also true that 'she who must be obeyed' often shouts at me to stop working, but I must confess that I may be one of the lucky few who really enjoys his work!

I reckon I could actually quite happily spend even more time working rather than reduced hours & still not suffer…

My own working life and situation may be a little different to many because, as the boss (& perhaps applicable to most self-employed too) I do take more time off than most.

I will, several times a year, spend long weekends away from the office (albeit still in contact with the office, responding to emails and enquiries and thus effectively 'still working') & I do also take two or three (last year 4) holidays a year of 10 days or more.

So, please comment…

Are your working weeks like mine?

Are you working far harder & longer than the 'average' worker?

& do you believe you should slow down and take more time off?