In some countries, people spend long hours at work. Why does this happen? Is this a positive or negative development?

A growing number of people spending prolonged

hours

at the workplace has been witnessed in many countries.

This

essay will shed light on the underlying reasons behind

this

and argue that

this

is a largely negative development. The

trend

of extended working

hours

can be attributed to two main reasons. One significant reason revolves around the escalating costs of living

due to

inflation has propelled individuals into prioritising monetary matters.

This

puts a strain on households’ finances as their daily expenditure is becoming more expensive, which pressures them to

work

more in order to sustain the costs of living.

For example

, the UK is experiencing a high rate of inflation, which sharply increases the prices of its domestic products and other sectors,

such

as healthcare or education, compelling them to

work

more to meet basic needs.

In addition

to

this

, social expectations can exacerbate

this

trend

. In certain cultures, particularly Asia, people are inclined to look at others’ incomes to measure individuals’ success by their income.

This

resulted in an intangible pressure on adults, pushing themselves to

work

excessively in pursuit of material wealth and social status.

While

some might argue that working longer

hours

can offer financial stability and a higher standard of living,

this

largely has come with a litany of problems. Chief among these is that spending excessive

time

at the workplace could weaken family bonds. Indeed, parents who are overly focused on their professional lives often fail to spend adequate

time

with their children, leading to a lack of understanding in the family.

This

disconnection can result in long-term consequences,

such

as conflicts within the household or even an increased likelihood of divorce.

Additionally

,

this

trend

could take a toll on their physical health and well-being, if workers are overworking for a long

time

. It is inevitable that prolonged working

hours

contribute to higher chances of stress and depression as they might lack

time

for rest, recreational activities, and regular exercise.

Otherwise

, it demands endurance to keep up with loads of

work

, which might push workers to abuse caffeine in order to increase their levels of concentration,

therefore

, adversely affecting their health. In conclusion, the issue of spending longer

hours

at

work

can be driven by rising living costs and societal pressure related to financial success. Notwithstanding certain benefits,

this

trend

has a predominantly negative impact on individuals, in terms of family connection and health.