Are Humans Meant to Work 40 Hours a Week?

Absolutely not. Humans have long valued productivity and efficiency, but the traditional 40-hour work week has become increasingly scrutinized in recent years. Our ancestors did not spend their days locked in office cubicles, toiling away for eight hours a day. Instead, they were concerned with food, shelter, and survival.

Our Ancestral Roots

No, we are not meant to work six continuous days and rest on the seventh. Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers, spending their days wandering, gathering food, and hunting when necessary. The need for constant food consumption was so critical that humans prioritized it above all else.

The Gorilla’s Dichotomy

Gorillas, as vegetarians, need to consume a large amount of calories to survive, hence they spend their days eating and sleeping. However, human beings have cracked the code on food scarcity. With food so widely available and easily accessible, we can now dedicate our time to other endeavors beyond just obtaining sustenance.

The Evolution of Work Hours

The duration of work hours depends on specific requirements. In many instances, doctors, for example, work more than 60 hours a week. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital staff put in significant amounts of work. In a typical plant, employees work 48 hours a week, which is still a substantial amount of time, even when including household work, resulting in approximately 72 hours per week.

8-Hour Day Memorial

In the heart of Fremantle, a 19th-century building displays carved stone figures representing the inscription "8 hours work, 8 hours play, 8 hours sleep." This sign has significant historical meaning as it represents the old working class fight for proper rest and leisure time. Despite its rich history, this ideal is no longer eternally sacred for many workers.

The 35-Hour Week and Its Impact

In my last job before retirement, we won a 35-hour work week. This significant reduction in work hours made a massive difference in our personal lives. Each day, I saw the joy and freedom on the faces of my fellow workers, liberated from the burden of long hours.

Parental Responsibilities

Does this mean that working 35 hours is the optimal solution for everyone? Hardly. Being a parent requires much more flexibility. A 35-hour work week might not suffice when you have a demanding child in your life.

The Historical Context

Our ancestors would be astonished at the concept of wage slavery for a mere 40-50 hours a week. If they owned a farm or lived in the deep mountains, they would only need to work 6-8 months a year. In the period between the Great Depression and WWII, there was a push for everyone to work only 20 hours a week as technology was rapidly advancing, making labor less necessary.

The Role of Bankers and Government

My grandmother often recounted stories of life during this time. She believed that the narrative of "hard work" and "independence from family" was profit-driven, as bankers did not want everyone working fewer hours.

For the Boomer generation, the mantra of working 40 hours a week and having women join the workforce was a result of the push to maximize spending and consumption. This generation believed that having a second income was essential. However, the narrative of working 40 hours a week and achieving financial success has rotated through generations.

The Reality for Millennials and Gen Z

Now, the Millennial and Gen Z generations are often criticized for working hard to live in small rentals and drive older cars, while their parents and grandparents could afford families on high school diplomas. This shift in expectations is a call to reevaluate traditional work-life balance and consider more flexible and fulfilling working arrangements.

A Call to Action

While the 40-hour work week has become an entrenched institution, it is not etched in stone. We have the ability to challenge this status quo and advocate for better working conditions, more leisure time, and a healthier work-life balance. Let us draw inspiration from the past and strive for a future where work is not a 9-to-5 obligation, but a means to contribute to our well-being and the well-being of those around us.