Aussie study backs shorter work week

A study by the Australian National University recommends the average working week should be capped at 39 hours in order to maintain optimum physical and mental health.

Researchers said working long hours takes a significant toll on t he overall health of workers and have recommended the work limit be set at 39 hours per week, down from the 48-hour week standard set internationally around 80 years ago.

ANU’s Dr. Huong Dinh said around two-thirds of all Australians currently working full time put more than 40 hours per week into their job.

“Long work hours erode a person’s mental and physical health because it leaves less time to eat well and look after themself properly,” Dinh said on Friday.

He said a healthy work limit for women and those who do a lot of domestic work should be 34 hours per week once their other commitments were considered, while those who do not engage in other domestic work could work up to 47 hours a week while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“Despite the fact that women on average are as skilled as men, on average they have lower-paid jobs and less autonomy than men, and they spend much more time on care and domestic work,” Dinh said.

It’s impossible for women to work long hours ... unless they compromise their health.” Huong Dinh, a researcher of health of Australian National University The work limit per week recommended by health researchers at ANU

“Given the extra demands placed on women, it is impossible for them to work the long hours expected by employers unless they compromise their health.”

Professor Lyndall Strazdins, a co-researcher in the study, said striking a worklife balance is crucial to maintaining a healthy life.

“Australia needs to do more to change attitude to work and to support men to take time to care without penalty or prejudice,” said Strazdins.

“Australians also need to dispel the widespread belief that people need to work long hours in order to do a good job.”