Exploring Average Working Hours: Global Trends and Insights
“Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living,” as the famous song by music legend Dolly Parton goes. But have you ever wondered why the 9 to 5 schedule became so popular? If it is the most effective way of working? Or if you and your team are working too much? Join us and find out all you need to know about average working hours throughout history.
Today vs. 100 Years Ago: How Many Work Hours in a Year?
Back in hunter-gatherer societies, the average working day was around three to five hours (but up to eight if you include food prep). And that’s just as well, as the average lifespan at the time was between 21 and 37 years of age.
Since then a lot has changed. Lifestyles have shifted and we’ve become a more modern society. And that seems to mean working more. But why? And is it effective? For starters, let’s take a look at how working life has changed throughout history.
❗ To navigate this evolving landscape, using the best time tracking software can help ensure you and your team maintain a balanced workload.
What are the average hours worked per week?
Nowadays, according to US labor law, a full-time working week is equal to 40 hours. If you work full time, to calculate your working hours in a year you need to multiply the number of weekly hours—40 by the number of weeks a year—52. In total, this gives us 2,080 working hours a year. But do most people really work that much? No.
So, how many hours does the average person work? In general in the world, the average work hours per week is around 35, shrinking the 2023 average to 1,820 hours per year. The average working hours per month is around 176.
And part-time or statutory employees may work even less. But throughout history, employees haven’t always worked the same hours. Historical events and life circumstances largely determined the working schedule. So how did we get to where we are today?
Let’s take a look at the average working hours over the last 70 years.
100 years ago, during World War I in 1914, the number of working hours averaged around 55 hours per week. To keep up with the demand for military equipment, some workers even clocked in a massive 72 hours of work!
However, productivity dropped! Statistics show that the peak productivity level averaged around 40 hours per week. Anything more and quality went downhill. Enter the 9 to 5 working weeks.
Made main-stream by Henry Ford of Ford Motors in 1926, the 9 to 5 working week became the new normal. However, many manufacturers continued to overwork their employees throughout the Great Depression with 46-50 hour working weeks.
After World War II, the 40-hour working week became enshrined in society as a whole. Until today. Now modern employers are testing out a variety of working hour schemes to boost productivity including the 9/80 working schedule and 4-day working weeks.
What Is the Average Working Year?
It might seem that the work never ends, but how much are we working really? Let’s take a look at the average working year as it stands today.
Number of hours in a year vs. how many you spend working
It might seem those working hours are adding up. But what about your free time? How many hours are you working in comparison to hours in the year? First off, here’s a quick breakdown of how many hours each one of us has to allocate to work and leisure in a year:
But wait! Every 4 years is a leap year. That means that there are 29 days in February instead of the usual 28. That gives us an extra 24 hours that year, making a total number of hours 8,784 on a leap year.
What does this mean for your working vs rest time? If we assumed that you worked average hours in 2023, which is 1,820 hours, then about 20.78% of your life was spent working that year. Something to think about!
How many full-time hours per year are there?
When calculating the full-time working hours, there are lots of things you need to consider, such as:
- Holidays
- Vacations
- Days-off
In other words, it’s important to deduct all non-working hours from your total work hours a year. Once you’ve figured out how many days off work you have in a year and multiplied those by the number of working hours in your day, the math is pretty straightforward. For example, if you had 12 days of vacation last year and 8 paid days off, you worked a total of 1920 hours that year:
Breaking it down: work hours in a year in North America, Europe, Asia
Work hours aren’t equal around the globe. In North America, Europe, and Asia employees’ working hours will differ from other regions. Let’s take a look at the most striking differences in these parts of the world.
Country with the longest working hours: 🇲🇽 Mexico with 2,137 hours a year
Country with the shortest working hours: 🇩🇰 Denmark with 1,380 hours a year
But what about productivity? Unfortunately, as we know, more time at work doesn’t equal more productivity. By using GDP data we can tell you that Danes earned $55 more per hour than Mexicans. Proving time doesn’t always equal money!
How many hours did Everhour users work last year?
Everhour users are a productive bunch. It’s a fact! But have you ever wondered about the average work hours in a year logged by Everhour users? Wonder no more! Here’s just how productive we’ve been together. *
*No GDPR were breached making this infographic 😉
How many workweeks are there in a year?
Simple. All 52 weeks in the year are fair game for working. But does that mean everyone works all 52 weeks in the year? Of course, not. When we factor in holidays and weekends, this number becomes a lot less.
To calculate the number of weeks worked in a year, we minus the holidays and weekends and divide by the number of days in the week.
But the question here isn’t always how many hours or weeks are worked in total. It’s also if an employee is receiving holiday pay. Normally, such holiday payments are included in contracts so employees know if they are entitled to paid time off.
In the US, employers are not always required to compensate workers if federal holidays fall on a weekend. However, some companies choose to do so to gain loyalty and boost morale.
How many weeks in a year overall vs time spent working?
The International Organization for Standardization states that a year is 52 weeks. But if we want to get technical about it, it’s a little more than that. If you multiply 52 weeks by 7 days you’ll get 364 days. But there are 365 days in a year, right? Correct!
That’s why, there’s actually, 52.143 weeks in a year or 52 weeks and one day. On a leap year that becomes 52.286 weeks in a year or 52 weeks and two days. So:
1 Year = 52 weeks and 1 day
1 Leap Year = 52 weeks and 2 days
Now how does this compare to time spent working? Let’s take a look at the weeks spent working by country:
Now, who is picking up their French textbook and booking a ticket?!
What do workweeks in a year look like worldwide? Fast facts!
Think it’s Monday to Friday everywhere? Think again. Workweeks across the world don’t necessarily look alike. Check out these workweek facts:
- In many Muslim-majority countries, the workweek runs Sunday to Thursday
- Mexico, Singapore, and Thailand among others work 6 days a week
- New Zealand and some Asia countries are trailing a 4-day work week
- In Russia, Belarus, and other former Soviet Union countries, subbotniks (or working Saturdays) are scattered throughout the year where citizens do voluntary unpaid work.
How many workweeks in a year in North America, Europe & Asia?
Simple. All 52 weeks in the year are fair game for working, but not everyone works all 52 weeks. The median for working weeks per year is around the 36.3 mark.
To calculate the number of weeks worked in a year, we minus the holidays and weekends and divide by 7 (the number of days in the week).
- UK 256 working days = 36.6 weeks spent working
- US 261 working days = 37.3 weeks spent working
- Denmark 254 working days = 36.3 weeks spent working
- Australia 254 working days = 36.3 weeks spent working
- Ireland 252 working days = 36 weeks spent working
- Russia 249 working days = 35.6 weeks spent working
- France 212 working days = 30.3 weeks spent working
- South Africa 249 working days = 35.6 weeks spent working
But the question here isn’t always how many hours or weeks are worked in total. It’s if those holidays are paid for. Normally, such holiday payments are included in contracts, so employees know if they are entitled to paid time off.
In the US, employers are not always required to compensate workers if federal holidays fall on a weekend. However, some choose to do so to gain loyalty and boost morale. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics calculated that in 2019, 1/3 of workers could receive 10 to 14 days of PTO after 1 year of service.
What Does the Average Working Month Look Like?
Whether you’re paid 4-weekly or monthly, you’ll probably want to know how many hours you’re getting paid for. Here’s how that time spent working compares to the rest of the world.
How many work hours in a month today vs 100 years ago?
Assuming we’re counting full-time working on a ‘traditional’ schedule. Counting today’s work hours in a month looks like this:
40-hour workweek x 4 working weeks in a month = 160 hours per month
But that’s just a rough guide. Not every month has just four working weeks, not every country counts working weeks as full weeks. Instead, some may count days, and not everyone works 40 hours a week. You can count the number of average working hours in a month this way: 40 hours per week x 52 weeks per year / 12 months = 173.33 working hours a month.
However, let’s assume our calculation is roughly correct. How does this compare to the traditional working hours per month approximately 100 years ago?
The early 1900s were marked by rapid advances in technology, war, and peace. In 1919, the average working hours per week in manufacturing were equal to 50 or around 200 hours per month. Over the years, some regulations have been introduced, and nowadays, as of January 2023, the average work week hours number is much lower at 40.4 hours per week with the average work hours per month being 161.6.
How many hours in a month are there overall?
Thirty days has September, April, June, and November, all the rest have thirty-one, except for February. You may remember this rhyme from your schooldays, but it is still helpful when figuring out how many days and hours there are in a month.
So, let’s calculate:
How many work hours in a month in North America, Europe, and Asia in 2023?
When talking about work hours in a month, theoretically there are between 672 and 720 possible working hours in a month. But in reality, the number of hours people work is much less. After all, we’re not robots.
When counting holidays, weekends, and rest hours, the average working hours in a month in North America, Europe, and Asia look a little like this:
Working 9 to 5? Here’s What the Average Working Week Looks Like Today
How many work hours there are in a week?
In 2022, full-time employees worked 41 hours per week.
How much time do we spend working on average?
Ever wondered just how much of your week you spend working? Let us break it down for you with some handy math.
7 days in a week x 24 hours in a day = 168 hours in a week
So, if we take the average working week of 40 hours per week and make it a percentage we get:
23.8% of our week spent working
What is the average workweek in North America, Europe, and Asia?
We might have the impression that some nations are more laid-back than others, but is it really the case? Here are the true stats on the average working week in North America, Europe, and Asia. As you can see, the average work week hours in the US, for example, is under 40 hours.
What are the average work hours per week as logged by Everhour users?
Hard workers or slackers (NO WAY!)? We know our Everhour users are some of the most efficient out there. But how many hours do they log each week? Let’s find out.
What are working hours in North America, Europe, and Asia?
We know the average working week across the world can range from 29 hours to well over 40 hours per week. But when do people work? Across the world, business days vary.
In the USA and much of Western Europe, the average working week is 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, in Japan, the average business day runs from 8.30 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday. However, in Saudi Arabia, the workweek starts on Sunday at 8 am. They work till noon, then take a 3-hour break before returning to work from 3 pm till 6 pm. Let’s take a look at some other daily routines around the world.
Who Works the Most? From Hong Kong to Washington
Discover which city and country work the most worldwide. And who has perfected the work-life balance?
Which city works the most? Working hours by city
New York is the city that never sleeps. Melbourne is the world’s most rested city. But have you ever wondered: which city works the most? Let’s find out.
Unlike popular misconception, New York is not the world’s hardest-working city. It’s not even close! That honor goes to both Mumbai in India and Hanoi in Vietnam who hold a joint first position as the world’s longest workers. They clock in at a massive 2,691 hours a year.
So, then, who’s the shortest worker? Will Melbourne steal the title? No, not quite. In fact, it’s Parisians who work the least with a total of 1,663 hours per year.
Top 5 longest workers (hours per year)
- Mumbai and Hanoi 2,691 h
- Mexico City 2,622 h
- New Delhi 2,511 h
- Bogota 2,358 h
- Dubai 2,323 h
Top 5 shortest workers (hours per year)
- Paris 1,663 h
- Copenhagen 1,712 h
- Moscow 1,720 h
- Helsinki 1,750 h
- Frankfurt 1,773 h
Working Laws — How Many Hours Can a Young Person Work?
From getting their first paper round to that first “proper” job, it’s vital young workers receive the support and protection they need. Here are the rules employers need to know today.
How many hours can a minor work? Today vs 100 years ago
In the UK the Factory and Workshops Act banned all children under 10 from working in factories or workshops. Can you guess what year it was issued? In 1878!
Until this time it was legal for those under 10 years of age to work in factories and workshops under the right conditions. But it was not until 2 years later in 1880, that the Education Act made it compulsory for children to attend school. But what about the US?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets out regulations that ban exploitative child labor and sets out rules for the safe employment of young people. What year was it issued? That’s right! In 1938.
So, what did the employment sphere look like back in the 1930s, just less than 100 years ago?
Back 100 years ago, children as young as 10 years old regularly worked. And not just for pocket money either. It might be hard to believe now, but children toiled long and hard days as:
- Cotton picker and miller
- Factory personnel
- Chimney sweeps
- Retail
- Newspaper sellers
- Farmers
- And more
Even 5-year-olds were expected to ‘help out’ on the farm and around the house. In fact, it was the norm. So, what changed? Society.
Pictures by famous photographer Lewis Hine, who was employed by the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), starting in 1908 and finishing in 1924 documented child labor across the country.
Society’s view on children working began to change. The richer classes started to believe that parents should work to support their children, not the other way around.
Then in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Action (FLSA) was born. This piece of legislation limits the labor of children (among other things) and installs strict regulations on the dos and don’ts when children work.
What does the FLSA say exactly?
FLSA prohibits oppressive child labor and sets the following rules for non-exempt children:
- Minimum age of 18 years old for hazardous occupations
- Minimum age of 16 years old for employment in non-hazardous conditions
- Minimum age of 14 years old for selected occupations – includes restrictions on hours and work condition
Caught using oppressive child labor? The fine is $11,000 for every violation with up to $50,000 fine for death or serious injury of a minor. And this can be doubled for repeat offenders.
Think child labor is a thing of the past? It’s not! Since 2007, over 9,700 employers have been found guilty of violating these regulations – and that’s just the ones that were caught.
How many hours can a 17-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia? And what are the rules?
USA
Under the FLSA, 17-year-olds in the USA can work unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions. However, some states have implemented legislation that limits which hours they can work, how much money they should receive, and other conditions.
For example, in California, 16 and 17-year-olds can only work until 10 pm at night on a school day and 12.30 am on a non-school day. In Massachusetts, they can only work between 6 am and 10 pm on days preceding a school day, and after 8 pm all minors should be supervised by an adult. In NYC, 16 and 17-year-olds can only work until 10 pm on days before school days.
By the way, the federal minimum wage for teenagers is $7.25 per hour (minimum wage by states may be different).
Canada
In Canada, child welfare is legalized under the Canadian Constitution. 17-year-olds can work almost the same as 18-year-old with some exceptions. These are:
- They should attend school if provincial law requires it
- Work is non-hazardous
- Work underground, in mines, and in other hazardous conditions are banned
- 17-year-olds should not work between 11 pm and 6 am EVER!
European Union
In the EU there are no specific regulations for 17-year-olds. Instead, regulations apply to workers aged between 15 to 18 years old. So, what are the rules?
- 15 to 18-year-olds who are no longer subject to full-time compulsory education can work 8 hours a day up to 40 hours per week.
- They cannot work between 10 pm to 6 am (or) 11 pm to 7 am. Although some exceptions apply.
- Teenagers must have a minimum rest period of 12 consecutive hours and 2 consecutive days minimum per week.
Asia
On the Asian continent, the following working rules apply to 17-year-old workers.
- China – on equal terms with adults
- India – no ‘hard’ (hazardous) work
- Japan – restricted occupations and working hours
- South Korea – restricted working hours and types of work
- Malaysia – unrestricted work for 17-year-olds
- Singapore – may work in industry, but must inform the Commissioner of Labour and have medical certification of fitness.
How many hours can a 16-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?
16 going on 17? It might seem like your teen is all grown up, but that doesn’t mean employment law treats them the same. Here’s what it means for a 16-year-old to work across various jurisdictions.
USA
Like their 17-year-old peers, in the USA 16-year-olds can work an unlimited number of hours in non-hazardous conditions.
Canada
Canada classifies 16-year-olds as “Young Persons,” this category belongs to anyone who is 15 years old and over until the day of their 18th birthday.
A 16-year-old can work from 6 am to 12.01 am. However, between 9 pm and 12.01 am, they should be supervised by an adult in retail businesses that sell food or beverages, the goods industry, and the hospitality sector. In addition, no matter when and where they work, they should have the permission of a parent or guardian.
European Union
For 16-year-old workers in the EU, the following rules apply:
- 8 hours – maximum working day
- 10 hours – maximum working week
- 12 hours off consecutively after work
- 2 days off consecutively per week
Asia
- China – on equal conditions with adults
- India – cannot be involved in ‘hard’ (hazardous) work
- Japan –can work with restricted conditions
- South Korea – restricted working hours and types of work
- Malaysia – unrestricted work for 16-year-olds
- Singapore – may work in the industry but must inform the Commissioner of Labor and have medical certification of fitness.
How many hours can a 15-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?
In most countries, 15-year-olds are expected to attend school. So, this limits their labor activity. But by how much? How many hours can a 15-year-old work? Let’s find out.
USA
In the US, Federal law says that 14-15-year-olds can’t work more than 8 hours a day. This is reduced to 3 hours on a school day.
During term-time, when young people are in school, a 15-year-old can work up to 18 hours per week.
And there’s a time restriction too. 14-15-year-olds can only work between the hours of 7 am to 7 pm.
Canada
Under Canadian law, 15-year-olds can work up to 20 hours per week during the school term. During school vacations, they can work as much as an adult employee.
However, there are some restrictions on when they can work. A 15-year-old cannot work between 11 pm and 6 am.
European Union
In the EU, 15-year-olds can work up to 8 hours a day for up to 40 hours a week. This can be between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm / 7 am and 11 pm. BUT! This only applies when they are not subject to compulsory education.
In European Union countries where the compulsory school age is higher than 15, it may not be possible to employ young people of 15 and under. There are some exceptions, such as sports and cultural activities, and training schemes.
Asia
- China – a 15-year-old can work 0 hours in China as the minimum age is 16 years old.
- India – a 15-year-old can be employed on equal terms as an adult.
- Japan – young people of 15 years old can work for up to 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in Japan. There are some restrictions on conditions, occupations, and employment hours.
- South Korea – the minimum age for employment is 15. A 15-year-old can work up to 7 hours a day or 40 hours a week. They cannot work between 10 pm and am or on holiday.
- Malaysia – 15-year-olds in Malaysia can work on equal terms with adults.
- Singapore – 15-year-olds can work up to 7 hours a day, but after 4 hours of work they must have a 30-minute break.
How many hours can a 14-year-old work in North America, Europe, and Asia?
Learning how to work is an important skill for any young person. But when getting started in the employment world, it’s vital workers’ rights are protected. So, what are the rules of employment for a 14-year-old across the world?
USA
According to the FLSA, 14-year-olds can work:
- Up to 3 hours a day on a school day
- Up to 18 hours a week on a school week
- Up to 8 hours a day on a non-school day
- Up to 40 hours a week on a non-school week
However, they should not work between the hours of 7 pm and 7 am.
Canada
In Canada, a young person between the ages of 12 to 14 years old can work:
- During non-school hours
- Up to 4 hours on a school day
- Up to 7 hours on a non-school day
- Up to 20 hours on a school week
- Up to 35 hours during school vacation time
European Union
In the European Union, it is illegal to employ those under the age of 15 years old. There are some exceptions to this. For example, culture, sports, artistic, or advertising activities, as part of a work experience or training program, and for certain types of light work.
Asia
- China – a 14-year-old can work 0 hours in China legally.
- India – a 14-year-old can work up to 6 hours a day in India. However, they cannot work between 7 pm and 8 am.
- Japan – a 14-year-old can work 0 hours in Japan. The minimum working age is 15 years old.
- South Korea – a 14-year-old may work in South Korea with permission from the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL)
- Malaysia – 14 years old is the minimum employment age in Malaysia. From this age, young people can work on equal terms with adults with some extra restrictions to protect young workers.
- Singapore – 14-year-old employees can work up to 6 hours a day and are entitled to a 30-minute break after 3 hours of work.
How many hours can a minor work in a week in North America, Europe, and Asia?
A minor is generally considered to be a person under the age of 18 years old. However, depending on the age of the minor and their location, different working rules apply.
When employing a teenager consider carefully the legislation that applies to your locality and business. Exploitative child labor is illegal worldwide – don’t be a part of it.
USA
- 18-year-olds – same as adults
- 17-year-olds – unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions
- 16-year-olds – unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions
- 15-year-olds – 3 hours per day on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day. Up to 18 hours per week (term time) or 40 hours per week (vacation time).
- 14-year-olds – 3 hours per day on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day. Up to 18 hours per week (term time) or 40 hours per week (vacation time).
- 13 and under – formal employment of those 13 years old and under is forbidden
Canada
- 18-year-olds – same as adults
- 17-year-olds – unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions. Only between 6 am and 11 pm.
- 16-year-olds – unlimited hours in non-hazardous conditions. Only between 6 am and 12.01 am (9 pm to 12.01 am should be supervised).
- 15-year-olds – Up to 20 hours per week during the school term, unlimited during vacations. Only between 6 am and 11 pm.
- 12 to 14-year-olds – 4 hours on a school day, 7 hours on a non-school day. 20 hours on a school week, up to 35 hours during vacation time.
- 12 and under – formal employment of those 12 years old and under is forbidden
European Union
- 18-year-olds – same as adults
- 15-year-olds to 18-year-olds – those no longer subject to compulsory schooling can work up to 8 hours per day, up to 40 hours per week. Cannot work between 10 pm and 6 am / 11 pm and 7 am (depending on the country).
- 14-year-old and under – cannot be employed unless in cultural, artistic, sport, or advertising sector or in a work/training program.
Asia
- China – those under 16 cannot legally work in China
- India – 14-year-old can work 6 hours a day. 15to 18-year-old can work as an adult.
- Japan – 14-year-olds and under cannot work in Japan, those 15-year-olds and up can work up to 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week with restrictions
- South Korea – a 15-year-old can work 7 hours a day, or 40 hours a week. 16 years old and up can work the same hours as an adult.
- Malaysia – 14 years’ old and up can work the same hours as an adult with some restrictions on times and types of work.
- Singapore – a 14-year-old can work up to 6 hours a day, a 15-year-old can work up to 7 hours a day, a 16-year-old can work the same as an adult but may have to inform the Commissioner for Labor.
How Many Hours Can You Work on Unemployment in North America, Europe, and Asia?
Just because you are working doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible for unemployment benefits. Here’s the low-down of how many hours you can work while claiming unemployment.
USA
The number of hours you work doesn’t necessarily reflect on your eligibility to receive unemployment benefits. If you work part-time, you may still be entitled to collect some benefits or apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI). Generally, this is based on your gross wage (total wage before tax).
Canada
In Canada, if you are unemployed, you may receive Employment Insurance benefits (EI). Like in the US, the amount of benefit you receive is tied to the wage you earn. You keep 50¢ of your EI for every dollar you earn. This applies up to 90% of weekly insurable earnings used to calculate this benefit.
European Union
In the European Union, how many hours you can or can’t work while on unemployment depends on the state you reside in. For example:
- In Denmark, once you are employed even part-time, you receive a supplementary benefit, not an unemployment benefit.
- Meanwhile, in Ireland, the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme, allows a person employed part-time time (less than 24 hours) to receive a supplementary payment in addition to their wage.
- In France, it is possible to receive a “return-to-work” benefit while working, provided this does not exceed the daily reference salary. This is “salaire journalier de reference”/ SJR.
- German workers can work for less than 15 hours per week and still continue to receive their unemployment benefits.
Asia
In Japan, it is legal for workers to be part-time employed while receiving benefits. However, this amount should not exceed certain limits as detailed in the Employment Insurance Law of Japan.
How Many Hours Can You Work on SSI?
SSI or Supplemental Security Income is a US benefit that aims to help those making little or no money. SSI helps aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income and are unable to work.
There is no limit to how many hours you can work and receive SSI. Instead, there is a limit on income you can make. In 2020, this amount is less than $794 per month and less than $2,000 in assets. The amount of SSI you could receive is tied to your income. In 2023, the benefits level for SSI is equal to $1,310 per month.
How many hours can you work if you are on disability?
Depending on where you are in the world, your eligibility for disability payments may vary. Here are some of the programs available worldwide.
USA
In the US, you can work and still receive social security disability benefits. Generally, this is related to the income you receive, not how much you work. As of 2023, this amount is capped at $1,310 per month. However, if you are the head of a company or self-employed, your hours may be counted. Please contact your local office for further information as to how your circumstance will affect your benefits.
UK
In the UK, you may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or attendance allowance and still be able to work. These benefits are not income testing and are not related to hours employed.
How Many Hours Can a Part-Time Employee Work Without Benefits?
Eligibility for employment benefits, such as paid time off, stock options, health insurance, and more may depend on how your staff is classified.
- Full-time employees are eligible for benefits
- Part-time employees are not always eligible for benefits
- Full-time is generally considered 40+ hours a week work
- Part-time employment is usually less than 30 hours a week
BUT! It’s not that simple. Calculating whether you have a full-time or part-time worker should be done using data given by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Should your employee receive benefits? If they are full-time – YES! If they are part-time, check your local laws. For example, in Hawaii, employees that work more than 20 hours per week are eligible.
In short, according to the Affordable Care Act, in 95% of cases, if your employee works more than 30 hours per week, they will be entitled to benefits.
How Many Hours Can You Work a Day in North American, Europe, and Asia? Maximum Working Hours per Day
There are 24 hours in a day, but what is the absolute maximum you can actually work? Time to find out.
- In the USA, there are no maximum working hours. However, according to FLSA, when you work over 40 hours per week, you should be eligible for overtime pay.
- For Canadian employers, the maximum amount of hours per week an employee can work is 48 hours per week. However, there may be some exceptions.
- Many European Union countries also impose a maximum 48-hour working week limitation.
- The UK also has a 48-hour working week limitation for maximum working hours.
- Back in 2018, South Korea reduced its maximum working week from 68 hours to 52 hours.
- In Japan, the country which has a name for the term “death by overwork” – Karoshi – there is no precise limit for working hours, but there is an overtime limit of 45 hours per month.
- What about China? Article 36 of the Constitution provides for a 44-hour maximum workweek in China. However, Regulation 97896 lowered this to 40 hours per week.
Average Working Hours: What’s Your Working Schedule?
Now you know more about the working world around you, why not get in touch and tell us more about how you work. Or better yet, let Everhour do the hard work of tracking your working time for you? We’re fanatics about time tracking, so we can tell you how many hours you and your team worked each day, week, month, and year, and see how you measure up in productivity with the world!
If you are managing a team of 5 or more and looking to boost efficiency, Everhour is the perfect tool to keep your team on track. With seamless time tracking, you can easily estimate task durations, set clear budgets, and generate detailed reports inside Asana, Trello, Jira, or any other pm tool.
Resources:
- Child Labor Laws
- Employment Standards | Employment Standards | Young Employees
- Children and Youth at Work in India – Minimum Age for Work
- Youth Employment – Japan
- Malaysia Guide: Working in Malaysia, Hours, culture, working conditions: The Malaysian Employment Act defines
- Employment Standards – Hiring young people
- Japan tightens regulations on working hours and more
- Infographic: Who Works The Most Hours Every Year?
- What is the Average Hours Per Week Worked in the US?
- Hours worked – OECD Data
- GDP per hour worked – OECD Data
- Working Hours – Our World in Data
- Average usual weekly hours worked on the main job – OECD Stat
- Weekly average working hours – Statista
- Average weekly hours and overtime of all employees – US Department of Labour
- Why High Earners Work Longer Hours – National Bureau of Economic Research
- Trend in working hours – OECD Library
- List of minimum annual leave by country – Wikipedia
- Workweek and weekend – Wikipedia
- Full-Time Jobs With Shortest and Longest Hours – Monster
- Pre-industrial workers had a shorter workweek than today’s – MIT Edu
- Diminishing Returns at Work: The Consequences of Long Working Hours
- Are we working more than ever? – Our World in Data
- Average usual weekly hours worked on the main job – OECD Stat
- Hours worked – OECD Data
- Hours of work – annual statistics – Eurostat Statistics Explained
- Average weekly hours and overtime of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls by industry
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- GDP per hour worked – OECD Data
- Comparative review of unemployment and employment insurance experiences in Asia and worldwide
- Who receives paid vacation leave?
- The Protection of Young Workers in Canadian Employment Law
- Teenage workers in the EU: Age limits & working time
- All our charts on Child Labor
Mike Kulakov
IT entrepreneur, executive and a former engineer. Responsible for company growth as well as the team’s motivation. Big fan of playing tennis, snowboarding, traveling, reading books, and (of course) I live and breathe our product.