Brielle Asero, a 21-year-old TikTok user has tearfully expressed how much she is upset after getting into the 9-to-5 work grind after post-graduation. Her video went viral quickly and many agreed with her opinion. The post garnered more than 230,000 likes as well as around 23,000 comments. She asked the viewers “I get off, it’s pitch black. I don’t have energy. How do you have friends? How do you have time for dating? How do you have time for anything?”
At first glance, many of the viewers would roll their eyes and consider this ‘drama’ as everyone is a part of the hustle only. She has also called out the traditional concept of adulthood where you just have to learn to accept everything. But what Asero brought forefront about the wrongs of American Hustle Culture is truly concerning for everyone. She explained how long work days and commutes can make a person lack a quality balance of work and life. This hustle can be highly debilitating and has a negative impact on mental health.
Now, the biggest question is, Why the 9-to-5 Work Culture is still followed?
Ford Motor Company was the first organization that implemented the standard 9-to-5 workday back in 1926 under the eyes of Henry Ford. After around a century, this work model is still followed but it seems antiquated and harmful to the people who work. It affects their mental health and emotional well-being. However, there has been is slight shift in the culture as the world witnessed a global pandemic. Now, the companies know there are other possible options, such as remote, hybrid, digital nomad, and many others. But most organizations are asking their employees to return to 9-to-5.
With the technological advancement in every sector, workflows are being streamlined through apps and software, cloud systems as well and AI which has greatly improved efficiency. Therefore, it does not seem rational or necessary to spend eight-plus hours in a cubicle at the workplace and then commute home for 5 days in a week.
Huge Expenses to Commute
Many people commute to cities like Manhattan from the suburbs for work and it costs them much time and money as well. It is a long slog that requires buses and trains to reach and ticket costs can amount to amount to thousands of dollars a year. According to a recent report by Fortune, “Commuting costs $2,000 and 39 hours more than it did before the pandemic.”
The unpredictability of traveling can also lead to burnout. While going to the workplace, it is mostly the mental anguish of being stuck in traffic and getting late. When coming back home, most workers are tired, cranky, irritable, and exhausted. There is not even enough time to do home chores or to spend with kids and loved ones. According to WHO and the International Labour Organization, “Long working hours led to 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29% increase since 2000.”
Is the 8-Hour Mark Really Productive?
If seen closely and dissect the productivity levels of the employees, they spend fewer hours with an uninterrupted flow of state concentrating on high-priority tasks. The average time for focused work is around 4 hours. So, long days in the workplace do not really promote effectiveness and efficiency. Therefore, it would only make sense if every human opts for their biorhythms instead of an arbitrarily 9-to-5 working culture.
