Shaping Labor Landscape: Working Hours, Policy Evolution, and Technological Advancement from the Industrial Age to the Digital Era

This paper examines the intricate interplay of technology, social policy, and working hours in Western society, spanning a historical trajectory from the industrial age to the digital age. The evolution of working hours is shaped by a confluence of technological advancements and legislative and political interventions of laws and policies. In the digital era, there has been a significant improvement in work efficiency, accompanied by the widespread adoption of remote and flexible work arrangements. However, the development of digital technology has also introduced challenges, particularly in delineating the boundaries between professional commitments and leisure time. The objectives of this study are to retrospectively examine the impact of technology and policies on working hours during the industrial age, predict the future influence of technology on the future of work, and propose strategies for policy adaptation to address the challenges brought by flexible working hours in the digital age. The research findings suggest a substantial enhancement in future work efficiency; however, a proportional reduction in working hours may not be inevitable. Achieving the goal of enhancing public welfare requires a coordinated approach to address challenges stemming from problematic labor practices and social structures that impact workers, particularly in terms of their psychological process of reference generation and adjustment. As such, forthcoming technological advancements are anticipated to significantly boost work efficiency, but the length of working hours may not necessarily decrease. To enhance the well-being of the population, it is essential to improve necessary labor standards and consider the psychological wellbeing of workers. This paper offers insights into the dynamic relationship between technology, policy, and working hours, providing a foundation for anticipating and addressing the challenges posed by the evolving nature of work in the digital era.