A new study shows that working just 52 hours a week could be deadly. That’s the equivalent of a punishing average of 10.4 hours per day for five days. Medical personnel are particularly worried about the work hours standard set by the Korean Labour Standards Act. This timeline is considered as an important tipping point for heightened health impacts.
Studies indicate that employees who pass this threshold suffer severe lasting impacts on their mental health. Those who toil over 52 hours a week are more likely to pursue emotional fragility. They might experience decreased cognitive efficiency over the long term, according to research published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
The research explored the brains of overworked healthcare workers and directly compared them to a non-overworked demographic. Even more surprising, the 52-hour work week increases brain volume in regions associated with executive function, emotional control, and suicide prevention. They have to acknowledge the danger posed by long hours on the job.
Healthcare workers are at an especially high risk with the short-staffing and burnout making their jobs even more taxing. This intense pressure to achieve results can result in burnout and other mental health problems. As the study suggests, the trade-off for such cognitive gains might mean a heavy emotional cost.
Some other research suggests that the health effects start when a person begins working 55 hours per week. This study reiterates the importance of the 52-hour cut-off. The bottom line These results should serve as a warning to employers. They call on policymakers to reconsider limits on work hours and consider the impact of these changes on employee health and safety.
“I worked hard to get where I am today – emotionally unstable and cognitively impaired.” – source is not a person
The implications of these findings are profound. One reason could be that some cognitive benefits are actually an effect of working longer hours. While the emotional toll is often overlooked, its impact can result in dangerous effects for students long-term.