[ryandvm]

I've been contracting for about a year now and, personally, I'd say even 30 hours is plenty. It may be anecdotal, but I am far more productive in 30 hours than I ever was in 40+ at any of my salaried jobs.

In large part I attribute this to my environment which, now that I'm working from home, is almost completely free of distractions. I get started at about 8 AM and wrap things up by 2 or 3 on most days - which is right when my kids get home. I clock out for anything more than a bathroom break which means my clients are getting a far more potent work-hour out of me then they get from their employees.

The reality is that the 40 work day is an anachronism; and it can't die soon enough. Start evaluating your employees by whether they're actually giving you the value you're paying them for and not by how much time they clock in your building working, looking at Facebook, or goofing off in the breakroom.