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Not Enough Time?

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  • Daniel S. Hamermesh

Abstract

This study summarizes evidence on various unique aspects of work time in the American labor market. Compared to workers in other rich countries, Americans: Work longer hours per week; take fewer paid vacations; are more likely to work on weekends or at nights; enjoy fewer daily hours of leisure; are more likely to feel pressured for time. Except for night/weekend work, these phenomena are concentrated among higher earners. Their workaholism spills over onto other workers and non-worker family members. The study indicates policy remedies for what appears to be an inferior labor-market equilibrium of excessive market work in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel S. Hamermesh, 2014. "Not Enough Time?," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 59(2), pages 119-127, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:amerec:v:59:y:2014:i:2:p:119-127
    DOI: 10.1177/056943451405900202
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hamermesh Daniel S. & Slemrod Joel B, 2008. "The Economics of Workaholism: We Should Not Have Worked on This Paper," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 8(1), pages 1-30, January.
    2. Mark Aguiar & Erik Hurst, 2007. "Measuring Trends in Leisure: The Allocation of Time Over Five Decades," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 122(3), pages 969-1006.
    3. Daniel S. Hamermesh & Jungmin Lee, 2007. "Stressed Out on Four Continents: Time Crunch or Yuppie Kvetch?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 89(2), pages 374-383, May.
    4. Daniel S. Hamermesh, 1996. "Workdays, Workhours, and Work Schedules: Evidence for the United States and Germany," Books from Upjohn Press, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, number www.
    5. Boeri, Tito & Burda, Michael & Kramarz, Francis (ed.), 2008. "Working Hours and Job Sharing in the EU and USA: Are Europeans Lazy? Or Americans Crazy?," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199231027, Decembrie.
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