The typical U.S. worker spends more time on the job every year than their contemporaries from other industrialized countries, according to a report by WalletHub.
On average, a U.S. employee puts in 1,799 hours per year, the data showed, 188 hours more than the average in Japan, 275 more than the U.K. and 456 more than Germany.
“Hard work is the backbone of America’s economy and a big reason why the country has become so successful, as Americans outwork people in many other developed economies,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst.
“In addition, between 40% and 64% of Americans leave at least some of their allotted vacation time on the table, depending on the city,” he added. “While working long hours, minimizing time off, and having side jobs all lead to increased productivity, they can also have negative effects on people’s physical and mental health. It’s important for people to figure out how to work hard without overworking.”
Meanwhile, most U.S. workers can’t afford sick leave, with 67% of employees choosing to work while sick over the last year as millions of Americans without a federal guarantee for paid sick leave were forced to choose between income and well-being.
"This staggering statistic has real implications for both employee well-being and organizational risk,” a Team Software spokesperson told PropertyCasualty360.
“In industries where safety and reliability are paramount, this presents a serious exposure—sick or fatigued workers increase the likelihood of costly incidents and claims,” the spokesperson added. “Addressing the affordability of sick leave isn’t just a workforce issue, it’s a risk mitigation strategy."
Key takeaways from a Team Software study on the hidden cost of sick days:
- Forty-two percent of U.S. workers faked being physically ill to access time off to avoid burnout and overworking.
- Fifteen percent of Gen Z workers have been fired for taking sick days.
- One in four workers say they've developed insomnia due to overworking, and another one in five say being overworked has given them anxiety or panic attacks.
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