Megatrends: Are we working harder than ever?

The report asks whether we are working harder than ever. Using evidence from different surveys measuring work intensity over the last 20 years the report suggests that employees seem to think they are working harder than ever. However this is not due to longer hours but a sense that work is becoming a more intense experience. There are now greater workloads and pressures to meet deadlines, customer demands and performance targets.

The effects of the recession and greater job insecurity have also played a part in creating extra pressures for some employees. As well as technological change and the expectations of customers and service users have made work more demanding. The report offers a range of potential explanations and concludes with a summary of the implications for employees, employers and public policy.

While these findings are based on UK data, the broader trends and implications should be of interest wherever you are based.

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Megatrends: Are we working harder than ever?

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