Why The 8-Hour Workday Doesn't Work (2024)

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Why The 8-Hour Workday Doesn't Work (2024)

FAQs

Why The 8-Hour Workday Doesn't Work? ›

The 8-hour workday will only suit most workers' daily patterns if they split their time into strategic chunks. That means hourly periods of work followed by regular breaks that align with natural energy flows.

How do I get through an 8-hour work day? ›

6 Ways to Make an 8-Hour Workday More Productive
  1. Give yourself deadlines.
  2. Take frequent breaks to relax.
  3. Improve your memory.
  4. Divide tasks into small manageable chunks.
  5. Create a clean workspace.
  6. Try to remove as many distractions from your environment as possible.
Jun 8, 2022

How many hours do people actually work in an 8-hour work day? ›

The company found that during an eight-hour workday, the average worker only spends four hours and 12 minutes actively working. The research, which polled 1,000 people, found that 47% of workers admit to surfing the internet and 78% of respondents said they didn't need eight hours to complete their daily work.

What happened to the 9 to 5 workday? ›

What is a 9-to-5 workday? The 9-to-5 workday used to be standard for all employees, but that's quickly changing. Freelancing and self-employment are on the rise, and there's been a rapid shift toward remote work. According to Gallup, at least 45% of full-time employees work remotely at least part of the time.

Who started 8-hour work day 5 days a week? ›

The first chassis on the assembly aisle at the Ford factory in Long Beach, California. In 1926, Ford Motor Company become one of the first employers to institute an eight-hour-a-day, five-day workweek.

How to mentally get through an 8 hour shift? ›

14 ways to cope with working long hours
  1. Time block your day. Time blocking is a good productivity management method that lets you divide your workday into several blocks of time. ...
  2. Use automation tools. ...
  3. Take breaks. ...
  4. Limit distractions. ...
  5. Reward yourself. ...
  6. Simplify your routine. ...
  7. Get enough sleep. ...
  8. Remind yourself about your end goal.
Mar 29, 2023

What is the ideal work hours per day? ›

Ideal work hours per day and week

Those who felt like they had the least time overall worked 8.6 hours, whereas those who felt like they had the most time worked just one hour less, or 7.6 hours. So to not feel starved for time, aim for a 7.6 hour workday. That would equate to a 38-hour workweek.

Is 8 to 5 an 8 hour work day? ›

Nevertheless, I'm sure they enjoy their half day off on Friday and the work culture that put it in place. Most places in the US don't count lunch. 8-5 or 9-6 are normal 8 hour days, or 8:30-5 if you take a 30m lunch. I have never worked in a salaried position where this is true.

Why do we still work 8 hours a day? ›

In August 1866, the National Labor Union at Baltimore passed a resolution that said, "The first and great necessity of the present to free labor of this country from capitalist slavery, is the passing of a law by which eight hours shall be the normal working day in all States of the American Union.

Why do they say 9 to 5 when it's 8 to 5? ›

The phrase "9-5" is often used colloquially to refer to a typical workday, even though many places of employment actually operate on an 8-5 schedule. This discrepancy can be attributed to historical reasons and variations in work policies across different industries and companies.

Why quit 9 to 5? ›

One reason people often want to leave their nine-to-fives and pursue other opportunities is that they want flexible work hours. Nine-to-fives typically have set hours, while freelancing and other forms of self-employment can allow you to set your own work hours.

Who invented the 8 hour work day? ›

The eight-hour workday started its life as a socialist dream. The Welsh textile mill owner and social reformer Robert Owen is credited as the first person to articulate it, by calling for “eight hours labor, eight hours recreation, and eight hours rest” for workers in the early 19th century.

Why are jobs 9 to 6 now? ›

The 9-to-6 schedule encourages efficient time management practices. With a clearly defined start and end time, employees can structure their day effectively, prioritizing tasks and minimizing distractions.

Why do we still work 40 hours a week? ›

Compared to the 10- to 12-hour days worked in the early 20th century, the standard 40-hour workweek implemented under the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 allows for better working conditions, improved mental and physical health, and more personal time.

Why is the 40-hour work week outdated? ›

Research indicates that this work schedule might not only be detrimental to employees' health but could also adversely affect productivity and business outcomes. Contrary to popular belief, longer work hours don't necessarily equate to increased productivity.

Is 9-5 a 40-hour week? ›

The traditional American business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, representing a workweek of five eight-hour days comprising 40 hours in total. These are the origin of the phrase 9-to-5, used to describe a conventional and possibly tedious job.

How to survive working 8 to 5? ›

HOW TO STAY SANE AT AN 8-5 DESK JOB
  1. Get up and MOVE every hour! ...
  2. Create a mini “vision board” or collection of pictures/cards that inspire or make you smile.
  3. Park farther away and take the stairs.
  4. Take a 5-15 minute walk around the building. ...
  5. Invest in a work blanket/oversized scarf! ...
  6. STRETCH.

Is 9 to 5 an 8 hour work day? ›

The traditional American business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, representing a workweek of five eight-hour days comprising 40 hours in total. These are the origin of the phrase 9-to-5, used to describe a conventional and possibly tedious job.

What time should I clock out to get 8 hours? ›

An 8-hour shift that starts at 8 a.m. ends at 4 p.m., excluding the break. But if you take a break, then add that duration. If the break is 30 minutes, your shift ends at 4:30 p.m.; if it's an hour long, your shift is from 8 to 5.

How to focus for 8 hours straight? ›

23 Incredibly Good Ways to Stay Focused at Work
  1. Get in the “flow” Before you blame it on others, take a minute to evaluate your productivity. ...
  2. Plan ahead. ...
  3. Create an hourly work plan. ...
  4. Write down all your ideas. ...
  5. Keep your to-do list organized. ...
  6. Set deadlines. ...
  7. Organize your work environment. ...
  8. Split time-consuming tasks.

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