Understanding Ideal Working Hours: 48, 70, or 90?

In the modern world, defining ideal working hours is no longer as simple as it once seemed. The evolving dynamics of industries, the push for work-life balance, and diverse employment categories have all reshaped the conversation. What is ideal for one sector or role is unsustainable or counterproductive for another. This blog examines various scenarios. It explores when 48-hour, 70-hour, and even 90-hour work weeks make sense and considers when they not be suitable.

The Context of 24×7 Industries

Specific industries, like healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and customer support, operate around the clock. These sectors often rely on shift systems to guarantee continuous operation. For such industries:

• 48-Hour Weeks: These standards suit shift-based roles where employees can rotate, ensuring productivity and rest. A nurse or a truck driver works a 12-hour shift for four days a week. This allows them to balance the need for extended availability with adequate personal time.

• 70-Hour Weeks: Extended working hours are unavoidable in emergencies, like natural disasters or peak operational demands (e.g., the holiday shopping season in logistics). Nonetheless, they should be temporary and paired with compensatory rest periods.

• 90-Hour Weeks: This should be reserved for exceptional cases. These cases include crisis management roles or startup founders during critical phases of business development. This intensity should be a short-term measure rather than a norm even in these cases.

Work-Life Balance and Its Importance

A growing body of research emphasises the importance of work-life balance for mental and physical health. It plays a significant role in employee satisfaction. It also contributes to long-term productivity. Excessive working hours can lead to burnout, decreased morale, and higher turnover rates.

• 48-Hour Weeks: This aligns well with the principles of work-life balance, allowing employees ample time for family, hobbies, and rest. Most organisations aim for this threshold for full-time roles.

• 70-Hour Weeks: Prolonged hours can disrupt balance. Such schedules suit individuals deeply enthusiastic about their work. This includes entrepreneurs or those in creative industries during a project’s peak phase.

• 90-Hour Weeks: This schedule is always detrimental to balance. It should only occur in extreme circumstances. The individual must be fully aware of the trade-offs.

The Nature of Employment Categories

The type of employment significantly influences the feasibility of varying work hours:

• Full-Time Employees: A 48-hour week is considered the upper limit for maintaining employee well-being and long-term engagement.

• Freelancers/Gig Workers: These individuals often have fluctuating schedules. They choose to work more than 48 hours when chasing deadlines or lucrative projects but still value flexibility.

• Executives and Founders: Senior leadership and startup founders often work extended hours to meet strategic goals. While 70-hour weeks are typical in these roles, exceeding this threshold can jeopardise decision-making ability and long-term health.

When 48 Hours, 70 Hours, or 90 Hours Make Sense

48 Hours: The Gold Standard

• Suitable for most full-time roles in industries like IT, education, retail, and administration.

• Provides enough time for work and personal life.

• Enhances long-term productivity and minimises burnout.

70 Hours: The Passion-Driven Exception

• Common for startup founders, creative professionals, or during short-term high-demand periods.

• Requires robust mental and physical stamina.

• Needs to be balanced with adequate recovery time to avoid long-term health issues.

90 Hours: The Crisis-Driven Necessity

• Rarely sustainable and should only be a last resort.

• Relevant for specific crisis management roles or extraordinary phases of business growth.

• Demands clear communication about expectations and support systems for recovery.

Cultural and Geographic Considerations

Cultural attitudes towards work vary significantly across the globe. For instance:

• Western Nations: Often emphasise work-life balance and cap hours at 40-48 per week.

• East Asian Countries: Have a culture of long working hours, which changes as awareness of burnout grows.

• Developing Economies: Economic necessity often leads to extended work hours, particularly in labour-intensive sectors.

Technological Advances and Flexible Work Models

The rise of remote work and automation has reshaped traditional working hours. Flexible schedules are increasingly popular, allowing employees to work at peak productivity hours.

• For knowledge workers, productivity can often be achieved in less than 48 hours.

• In contrast, gig economy workers stretch beyond this threshold during high-demand periods.

Striking the Right Balance

The concept of ideal working hours is inherently fluid, dependent on industry, role, and personal circumstances. A 48-hour work week remains a widely accepted benchmark. But, there are situations where extended hours are necessary. Sometimes, they can even be desired. Organisations and individuals must approach this cautiously, ensuring that health, morale, and productivity are not compromised in pursuing short-term goals. A balanced approach, emphasising flexibility and recovery, is key to sustainable success.