Arianna Huffington: Americans Are Crazy Workaholics -- It's Time For Balance to Our Lives

[marmar]

Americans Are Crazy Workaholics -- It's Time We Brought More Balance to Our Lives

By Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post. Posted December 6, 2008.

"No life," "no family" and "can devote, literally, 19-20 hours a day" to work. Sound familiar? That's our future Homeland Security chief talking.



I was asked on the CBS Early Show about Ed Rendell's off-mic assessment that Janet Napolitano is a "perfect" choice for Homeland Security Secretary because she has "no life," "no family" and "can devote, literally, 19-20 hours a day" to the job. Did I think his comment was sexist?

I didn't. But I do think it is emblematic of a pervasive misperception in America: the idea that to be a success you have to drive yourself into the ground, and that making work the be-all and end-all of your life is a good thing.

I've touched on this before: The prevailing culture tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, that working 80 hours a week is better than working 70, that being plugged in 24/7 is expected, and that sleeping less and multi-tasking more are an express elevator to the top.

Rendell's paean to workaholism epitomizes this wrong-headed approach to achievement. Indeed, the truth is the exact opposite. It turns out people are not only happier -- they are also much more productive if they are able to get away from work, and renew their passion and focus.

The alternative approach is what has led to America being awash in heart disease, high blood pressure, and other stress-related ailments. .......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/workplace/110490/americans_are_crazy_workaholics_--_it%27s_time_we_brought_more_balance_to_our_lives/

[Inspired]

1. Can someone send this to the upper management of my company?

I've been saying this for years and everyone looks at me like I must be crazy, I mean lazy.

[Callalily]

2. Well, we all know that working

too many hours, under stressful circumstances is not good for the individual worker or for that matter the company.

My place of business constantly encourages to take time off, an almost impossible task, while vacated positions are not being filled and work duties just get re-distributed. Couple that with meetings of major budget cuts, we all fear for our jobs. Those of us that are salaried employees are hit the hardest because we can work many extra hours beyond the standard forty at no additional cost to the company, while hourly workers are not allowed to work additional hours because of over-time pay.

It's a frightening world we live in right now and I fear it's going to get worse.

[Ezlivin]

3. We keep you alive so you can serve this ship

Row well and live.

[juno jones]

4. Everybody needs some SLACK! n/t

[glowing]

5. Its exactly what we need.. and then we'd have to have more money so that

this is actually possible.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Less work, more money!

[LiberalEsto]

7. My husband's a computer DBA

He worked until after 11 pm three nights this week. And that's a breeze compared to his last job, where he was routinely working weekends and getting home anytime from 9:30 pm to 1 am. I am worried that this work will eventually kill him. But what can he do about it? Nothing.

[remember2000forever]

8. Southern Europe has the idea.

The French get 3-4 weeks off a year in the summer, may I add.....PAID.
The Southern Italians go home, close offices and shops and eat a mid day meal with their families.
The Spanish take afternoon naps in some working environments.

American's grab a junk lunch with their paltry 40 minute break. We are truely stressed in the US, especially when you add our commutes.