Many people are working longer and longer hours. What are the reasons and effects?

Working longer
hours
is a growing tendency in society nowadays. The primary cause of
this
change is excessive workloads and the effects on one’s health and quality of life are decidedly detrimental. The need to
work
additional
hours
often stems from increasing demand in the workplace. To keep up with the competition in an increasingly globalised marketplace, employees are expected to assume a high volume of
work
, often with inadequate staff levels and support.
This
has resulted in employees having to
work
extra
hours
to compensate, which is exemplified clearly in IT-related sectors. A program developer in Vietnam generally spends an average of 10
hours
at
work
per day integrating complicated software systems, which would not be necessary if he was accompanied by a colleague. Extra office
hours
can adversely affect workers’ health, as well as their personal lives.
First
of all, working overtime can lead to a lack of sufficient rest, a decrease in energy and eventually health conditions in extreme cases.
This
is illustrated in research conducted in Japanese white-collar workers, who have to sit in their offices for up to 14
hours
, resulting in spinal injuries, arthritis and increased risk of strokes.
In addition
, as more time is spent at
work
, workers necessarily have less time for their loved ones, which can weaken bonds between family members and friends.
As a result
,
this
can generate a feeling of general dissatisfaction in individuals, potentially becoming a catalyst for stress and depression in the long run. In conclusion, extended working
hours
are associated with increasing demands in the workplace, preventing employees from leading a healthy and balanced life.
Therefore
, I believe governments should enact laws that impose weekly overtime standards for corporations.

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