[bertzzie]

This is interesting. I live in Indonesia, where except on our capital (Jakarta and most Java), working 60 hours a week is the norm. I have noticed (and I think this has been proved over and over again) that people who works 60 hours a week is actually less productive and less happy than those who have a free weekends and work only 8 hours a day.

I wonder how much working time can we cut until the benefits disappear.

[jdotjdot]

I agree with this from personal experience. And I have a US white collar job, 70/hr week average, and i'm way less productive than I used to be before that.

[mikecane]

>>>working 60 hours a week is the norm

What kind of labor is that? White collar or factory assembly?

[zht]

do you have extremely long days but 5 days a week or do you spread it out over 6 or 7 days?

[ekianjo]

In Japan, by the way, it is not uncommon to work 6 days a week (Saturdays). It depends on your contract.

[bluedanieru]

I heard a story, perhaps apocryphal, that the national government commissioned a study a few years back to investigate ways to curb this practice.

The committee was disbanded after a minor scandal when it was discovered that they were making everyone come in on Saturdays to work.