Can a Shorter Workweek Make People Happier?

I love the VisualCapitalist.com. There is so much intriguing stuff to be found there.

They just published this chart:

❔ What do you think? Is it just correlation or causation? ❔

As Singapore is not part of the OECD we are nowhere to be found on this grid.

So I checked where Singapore would be.

Well, we would be off the grid to the right with our annual working hours of about 2,300 hours.

And in terms of happiness?

Singapore’s Happiness Score is 6,26 slightly above the level of Italy – #34 globally.

That would put Singapore fitting into this broad channel of correlation / causation.

Now, let’s be careful with our interpretations of this chart, though!

Happiness can certainly NEVER be attributed to a single factor like working hours.

Still, worklife harmony is a very important contributor to our overall happiness.

By the way, Friday 13th of March is World Sleep Day. You might want to pencil that into your calendar.

Just saying …

Curious to hear from you whether you believe it is just a correlation or whether you do see a causation that shorter annual workhours would have on your happiness.

Oh, and here is the link to that entire article: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/shorter-workweek-make-people-happier/

4 Comments

  1. Hi Andy,

    Miss your response earlier. Yes, great to be back and see you guys still as active, you, Jared, CW, SI etc
    I bought some shares during downturn. Yes, nibbling.

    Indeed, crisis always has opportunities. In fact, in my life, I tend to perform better during crisis maybe because I am those who like to prepare for the worst.

    Hope you are doing well? Have you grown your biz over the years? I met Jared many years back and he told me you have some sideline biz as well. Hope it is doing great for you.

  2. Hi Andy,

    How’s everything? Its been awhile. I am back to the b’sphere, mainly because of the bear market w I been waiting for awhile.

    Shorter work week not nec happy. Some people will never be happy even if they don’t work.
    Guess it has to come from within. However a shorter work week will definitely give us more time for more balance as what you said.

    Anyway, now, its no longer shorter work week. Many people will have no more work week, as they will lose their jobs soon!

    • Hi Rolf,
      Great to see you back to the b’sphere.
      Yeah, every crisis has its opportunities.
      Great opportunity for you to invest back into the market. Are you nibbling yet?

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