Are we overworked?

The simple answer is, yes. And it doesn’t have to be this way. Author Brigid Schultz put a lot of thoughts and research into this 400 page book that outlines where we’ve been and how we got to a place where most people are overwhelmed, underpaid, and why many people are finally saying enough is enough.

Ironically, the day Amazon announced that all corporate employees must return to the office 5 days a week was the same day I finished reading Over Work by Brigid Schulte. America, and some countries, treat overworking like a badge of honor but Schulte makes a compelling case of why it's actually hurting us as a society. Using a mixture of data, personal accounts, and interview style stories, Over Work lays out the employment system and how we got here. I appreciated that she covered countries outside of the United States; like Japan where I had no idea overworking, or karoshi, existed or that workers were entitled to benefits because of it. I also liked how Schulte covered the work culture shift in Iceland and how it improved the health and well being for its citizens.

Ultimately industrialization was meant to make our lives easier, and although we could work less and still provide a basic quality of life for all, corporate greed, poor legislation, and capitalism won't allow it. Instead humans are treated as tools and time is the commodity stolen.


Thank you Henry Holt for the gifted copy.