My poor work ethic

[Mayhem]

60 hours a week is close to the American average. We are also the most productive workforce in the world.

I guess we're lazy because Conservatives tell us so.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/...ematic/385931/

60 hours is close to the american average? Dafuq?

[Deleted]

So 60hours a week is actually cosidered light in the US and you are supposed to work harder?

I say it's the 1% telling you to work harder for less pay so they can make a bigger profit.
(That's what I say all the time though.)

Is everyone missing the obvious sarcasm?

We just can't tell what the message is supposed to be.
Is it that employers tell you to work even more?
Does he want pity for that?
It's hard to tell which part is honest and which are not.

[Deleted]

oh, don't worry. you don't have to die at work

[Deleted]

Of course we all get the sarcasm in the OP. It's not that hard to detect.

Thing still is that 90% of the world has to work to live. Just because there have been a couple of decades that things went better doesn't mean that was going to last.
Don't forget how things were prior to WW2. That's the way it's heading again in "the West".

[Celista]

60 hours is close to the american average? Dafuq?

Technically it was around 49 for full-time salaried employees in 2013 but that number has been creeping up the past few years. 60 or more is indeed the average for certain industries.

http://blogs.wsj.com/numbers/salarie...-at-work-1739/

- - - Updated - - -

Don't forget how things were prior to WW2. That's the way it's heading again in "the West".

This is bullshit, parts of Europe are moving towards a 30-hour work week. Remember that the US has one of the most robust economies in the world with the highest worker productivity rates.

The US just likes milking its workers dry with stagnant wages and hours creep due to outdated labor laws that benefit employers.

[Quincey]

I have a nice apartment, a great dog, a great computer and all the tech and games I want.
I work 24 hours a week.
Will I ever be rich? Probably not, but I'm happier than most around me

[tankbug]

I've never heard the term "lazy american" related to work. I think the stereotype of a working american is that he works all day, so he can impress his bosses, get promoted and in the end be one of the guys that can take a three hour lunch with his business associates at the country club.
Maybe "lazy american" came from comparison with the almost inhuman working conditions for the stereotype japanese worker during the 80s? Personally I think it's more of the lifestyle that was promoted back in the days. Drive everywhere you go, microwave meals, instant coffee, tiny electric engines built into everything so you don't have to use any muscle, fast food, drive-ins, mail order, TV culture.

[Vurdah]

The idea that the amount of hours you 'spend' at work somehow determines how hard you are working or how lazy you are or are not is completely asinine.

You can bust your ass slinging sheet metal 40-50 hours a week and work 5 times harder than someone who works in an office 60+ hours a week posting on MMO Champ and browsing imgur. Idk how many people I've ran into that spend 8-10 hours a day at work but only do about 5 hours of actual work.

[Ycarene]

I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really wondering why I can't motivate myself to work that extra Saturday.

[Mayhem]

Technically it was around 49 for full-time salaried employees in 2013 but that number has been creeping up the past few years. 60 or more is indeed the average for certain industries.

http://blogs.wsj.com/numbers/salarie...-at-work-1739/

Crazy stuff, do americans just not like to have free time and enjoy the fruits of their labor?

This is bullshit, parts of Europe are moving towards a 30-hour work week. Remember that the US has one of the most robust economies in the world with the highest worker productivity rates.

Well, you have got to employ people and that´s one way to do it. I do welcome the idea of a 30-hour work week, would put me from a 3-day weekend to a 4-day weekend.

The US just likes milking its workers dry with stagnant wages and hours creep due to outdated labor laws that benefit employers.

Well, socialism is bad and money equals speech soooo.

[Celista]

I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really wondering why I can't motivate myself to work that extra Saturday.

Do you love your job that much? If not, spend that Saturday developing a side business or learning a new skill or really whatever. Don't feel guilty about taking a day off a week...trust me, when you are on your death bed the thought "wow, I really should have worked some more" will not pop into your mind.

Go live a life outside of work.

[Ycarene]

Do you love your job that much? If not, spend that Saturday developing a side business or learning a new skill or really whatever. Don't feel guilty about taking a day off a week...trust me, when you are on your death bed the thought "wow, I really should have worked some more" will not pop into your mind.

Go live a life outside of work.

I don't even really like my job, but it's how I contribute. My wife wasn't crazy about me working Saturday but I feel like I've failed her if I haven't put in as many days as possible.

[Faenskap]

60 hours is "light"? :O

I'm sure that's an illegal amount in many European countries.

Norwegian workweek is 37,5 hours, for instance and overtime heavily regulated.

[DarkAztaroth]

Ouch.... well I'm glad I'm not an american then if 60 is lazy/normal ...
I work 40 and usually take between 3 and 5 months in vacation a year (though I only have a month paid in there) :S

[Faenskap]

Ouch.... well I'm glad I'm not an american then if 60 is lazy/normal ...
I work 40 and usually take between 3 and 5 months in vacation a year (though I only have a month paid in there) :S

I'm happy too I don't mind working, but I don't want my life to be centered around work and communte time (and holidays being for pussies).

A question:
How are employed people protected from getting fired? Is there such a thing?

I was watching some episode of Hoarders, and one of the hoarders got a call from his boss, telling him he was fired. Just like that

[Deleted]

Why not spend the Saturday on starting something for yourself? Like a side-business?

In the US this is quite easy and cheap (especially compared to many EU countries) and it might even grow out to something more one day.

[Independent voter]

I'm not being sarcastic, I'm really wondering why I can't motivate myself to work that extra Saturday.

Sounds like you should start looking around for something you want to do or at least pays enough so that it's worth it. I'm only saying this because you seem concerned.

I like having days off occasionally, especially if work is really stressful. I get this feeling like "I can't take this shit no more!" then I get a day off and I'm ready to go back to work.

[Mayhem]

Ouch.... well I'm glad I'm not an american then if 60 is lazy/normal ...
I work 40 and usually take between 3 and 5 months in vacation a year (though I only have a month paid in there) :S

Sounds like my job.

[SpikeySquad]

I don't even really like my job, but it's how I contribute. My wife wasn't crazy about me working Saturday but I feel like I've failed her if I haven't put in as many days as possible.

Do you actually need the money from the extra hours? Need not want.

So say 5 years into the future you look back. Will you be regretting not working that other day more or the result of upsetting your wife?

Personally if my other half now said that they would now be working another day then I really wonder if I would want to remain in that relationship as our time together is very precious (well to me anyhow!)...

[Deleted]

Ouch.... well I'm glad I'm not an american then if 60 is lazy/normal ...
I work 40 and usually take between 3 and 5 months in vacation a year (though I only have a month paid in there) :S

You're job must really .. miss you.
What kind of job will let you take 4 months unpaid leave a year.
Holy shit this is such a lie.