The truth is out we work harder and longer than any industrialized country in the world. The article Turns Out Americans Work Really Hard but Some Want to Work Harder posted on CNN Money provided a breakdown.
On average, Americans work 34.4 hours per week, while workers in the Netherlands work 26.6 hours per week. Forty percent of workers work over 50 hours per week. American workers earn about 15 vacation days while Europeans earn about 28 days. We do not always use our earned time off.
There are many reasons we do not take time off. There is fear that we will return to a mountain of work. We are concerned that it will hurt our chances for promotion. Some feel as if they will be viewed as disloyal.
Time off is an important part of maintaining a balanced life. Time off allows us to reset our attitudes and relieve the overwhelming stress that we feel.
Project Time off is an initiative that promotes the notion that balanced lives make for healthy employees and workplaces. I would love for you to read the blog post 6 Reasons Being a Work Martyr is the Worst.
When did you take time off? Did you feel that it caused problems for you at work?
You are invited to join the “Get Through the Day Without Losing It” 7 Day Challenge. Go beyond counting to 10 when you are pushed to the limit. Learn healthy ways to calm your mind and relax your body in 30 minutes or less. Click here to sign up and receive your first session.
Do not forget to download Volume 1 Issue 1 of the Social Work Web Resource Guide. This free 11 page guide lists to web addresses and social media links for social work related websites.
I help social workers and other professionals to “get through the day without losing it.” I would love to hear from you. You may join the conversation by commenting on this post on our Facebook fan page REAL Social Workers Online Magazine, or connecting with me on LinkedIn. Learn more about HappyHalfHour.club