60-Hour Workweek (Law, Schedule, Pros/Cons)

Surviving a 60-hour workweek can be a challenge. Make sure you have a good work-life balance before you commit to these extended work hours. Working 60 hours a week might help you earn more money while demonstrating your commitment to your career and organization.

60 hour work week

The advantages of a 60-hour workweek

Working 60 hours a week has several advantages. Here are a few things that might make it beneficial to you:

You increase your earnings.

Working 60 hours a week will help you boost your budget by allowing you to pay off debts such as loans, bills, and credit cards. You can also put your spare money into a retirement or savings account.

It has the potential to help you enhance your career.

It's possible that simply doing your job well and arriving on time can get you kudos from your boss. On the other hand, working overtime may be a terrific method to truly create a strong impression when the work environment is more competitive. A 60-hour workweek allows you to devote more time and effort to a specific project, which may result in greater outcomes and demonstrate your commitment to your profession and organization.

You are more efficient.

You'll most likely be more productive if you work 60 hours a week on projects. However, the amount of work you generate isn't the only factor to consider. By keeping to an unconventional schedule, you might be able to boost the quality of your job as well. For example, if you work extra after hours, you may find yourself in a calm area with no clients or phones ringing, allowing you to concentrate without interruptions.

It could be preferable than working a second job.

Another advantage of working 60 hours a week is that you can supplement your income by doing something you already enjoy. Working a second job is another method to supplement your income, but it may require adapting to a new environment and acquiring new skills.

60 hour work week

The disadvantages of a 60-hour workweek

Working 60 hours a week has a few drawbacks, whether you're ready to expand your work hours to make more money or just following your boss's directions. Here are a few drawbacks to think about:

It takes time away from your personal life.

You may already spend a significant amount of time at work, and spending 60 hours a week takes even more time away from your personal life. This can imply less time for socializing, hobbies, and sleep.

It can have a negative impact on your physical health.

If you don't have time to go to the gym, a few additional hours of sedentary work during the week might be detrimental to your health.

It has the potential to induce job dissatisfaction.

Even if you adore your job, spending too much time on it might make it challenging to maintain your excitement for each activity.

60-hour workweek schedule example

Here is what working a 60-hour workweek could look like:

  • 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM Wake up, breakfast, exercise.
  • 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM Starting work.
  • 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Commuting.
  • 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM Office time and work.
  • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Commuting.
  • 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Dinner and family time.
  • 10:PM - 12:00AM Work.
  • 12:00 AM - 6:00 Sleep.

In this schedule, there is not one day work free.

60 hour work week

Tips for how to manage working a 60-hour workweek

Here are some suggestions for coping with a 60-hour workweek:

Take frequent pauses

While it is critical to remain focused on your work, it is also crucial to take regular breaks. Eat food, listen to music, call a friend, or stroll around the block for 10 to 15 minutes.

Taking pauses might help you refocus and finish a project more quickly. Your ability to concentrate may improve after you return to work.

Get plenty of rest

Getting adequate sleep can help you operate more successfully and efficiently, resulting in increased productivity and time savings. As a result, sleep whenever you have the opportunity — for example when you have a long gap in your work schedule or during your commute.

You don't have to get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. All you have to do is make an effort to sleep for seven to eight hours per 24 hours.

60 hour work week

Set tasks in order of importance.

Choose the most critical things from your to-do list. You might make this decision based on demands from coworkers, client expectations, or upcoming deadlines. Schedule the most crucial things on your calendar once you've identified them. Prioritizing your time becomes easier when you view your daily task list.

Setting aside specific periods to focus on your job might help you prioritize even more. If you have coworkers who often email, call, or come over to your desk to talk about non-urgent topics, let them know you're working on a project and would be happy to speak with them during your break.

Go through your objectives again.

It's critical to analyze your key objectives and why you're working 60 hours a week. You could be working two jobs to save enough money for school, or you might be working hard to develop your career to work less later in life.

Revising your objectives, whatever they are, might be enough to drive you to keep going.

Exercise on a regular basis

Regular exercise helps keep your body healthy while also keeping your mind active. Exercise may help you relax, and if you work 60 hours a week, you may be under a lot of stress that needs to be relieved. You can establish a regimen where you exercise regularly, either before or after work.

If you don't have any spare time to exercise, you may take a brief stroll across the office during your lunch break or attempt to walk to and from work on days when the weather is beautiful.

Dedicate one whole day to work-free activities.

While you might not be able to take two days off in a row, strive to take at least one full day off each week. Your mind and body will benefit from the break. It can be worthwhile to put in a little additional effort one day for another day off.

You may feel considerably better when you return to work, and your job quality may increase.

Is working 60 hours a week considered normal?

It's not uncommon to work a 60-hour workweek occasionally, but some people find themselves working these extra hours regularly. If you're one of them, you could feel overworked, hurting your mental and physical health.

Job burnout is one of the most typical side effects of overworking.

What is the impact of a 60-hour workweek?

Those who work 60 hours per week are 23% more likely to get injured. Researchers identified no fatigue-related issues in organizations with an 8.7% overtime rate.

Fatigue-related problems were severe by the time the overtime rate reached 15.4%.

Is working 50 hours per week legal?

Your employer cannot legally require you to work more than 48 hours a week, including overtime. Your employer must ask you to opt-out of the 48-hour restriction if they want you to work more than that.

Is a 60-hour workweek excessive?

It's a lot, but it's not out of the ordinary. People attempting to develop their jobs or businesses sometimes perform 60-hour workweeks. I worked for two well-known companies early in my career where I would have liked to work only 60 hours a week.

Is working 55 hours a week excessive?

"Working 55 hours or more a week is a serious health concern," said Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the World Health Organization's Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health. "It's time for all of us, governments, companies, and employees, to recognize that extended work hours can contribute to early mortality" said Dr. Maria of the World Health Organization.

How can I make it through a 50-hour workweek?

Suggestions for making it through a 50-hour workweek:

  • Throughout the day, take brief pauses or clarity breaks.
  • When you need a break, let your immediate supervisor know.
  • Take one or two days off every week.
  • Make an effort to work out a flexible schedule with your boss.
  • Set aside particular periods during the week to exercise.

Is it healthy to work 70 hours a week?

However, according to research published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, regularly exceeding this level might harm your health. According to the study, working 61 to 70 hours a week increased the risk of coronary heart disease by 42 percent, while working 71 to 80 hours increased the risk by 63 percent.

Is it healthy to work 50 hours a week?

These lengthy hours are detrimental to our health. According to another study, employees who work long hours are more likely to have poor mental health and sleep of poor quality. Working long hours has also been linked to an increased risk of smoking, binge drinking, and weight gain.

How do you manage 60 hours of work each week?

Here are some suggestions for coping with a 60-hour workweek:

  • Take some time to relax. While it's critical to remain focused on your work, it's also crucial to take regular breaks.
  • Make sure you get adequate rest.
  • Organize your duties.
  • Examine your objectives.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Keep one whole day free of work.

How can I make it through a 12-hour workday?

Follow these strategies to make 12-hour shifts more manageable.

  • Prepare your meals ahead of time and eat healthily.
  • Take the right vitamins.
  • Make sure you get adequate sleep.
  • Make the most of your breaks.
  • Make new pals at work.
  • Make plans for your vacation.
  • Adjust your average vacation days.

Is it difficult to work 8 hours a day?

According to studies, the average worker is only productive for two hours and 53 minutes out of an eight-hour day. That's true, and you're most likely only productive for three hours every day. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average American works 8.8 hours per day.

What does a 56-hour workweek entail?

Members allocated to a shift work a 24-hour rotating schedule, resulting in a 56-hour workweek on average. Some weeks may be 72 hours long, depending on the scheduling rotation. There are four shifts to staff ope

author: patrick algrim
About the author

Patrick Algrim is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), NCDA Certified Career Counselor (CCC), and general career expert. Patrick has completed the NACE Coaching Certification Program (CCP). And has been published as a career expert on Forbes, Glassdoor, American Express, Reader's Digest, LiveCareer, Zety, Yahoo, Recruiter.com, SparkHire, SHRM.org, Process.st, FairyGodBoss, HRCI.org, St. Edwards University, NC State University, IBTimes.com, Thrive Global, TMCnet.com, Work It Daily, Workology, Career Guide, MyPerfectResume, College Career Life, The HR Digest, WorkWise, Career Cast, Elite Staffing, Women in HR, All About Careers, Upstart HR, The Street, Monster, The Ladders, Introvert Whisperer, and many more. Find him on LinkedIn.

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