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National Leave The Office Early Day

June 3rd, 2024 is Leave The Office Early Day

Leave the office early is a day designed to highlight the advantages associated with reducing excessively long work hours. It underscores the notion that modest alterations to our work schedule can boost productivity and enhance overall wellness.

Employee leaving the office early on leave the office early day
History of Leave The Office Early Day
The Downsides of Overwork

Too much work?

In the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 23.5 percent of full-time employees worked more than 40 hours per week in 2020. This figure includes a range of industries and occupations, both salaried and hourly workers.

It’s easy to become a victim of working long hours. No one ever said that hard work is bad, but excessive and unrelenting long hours may carry downsides. These downsides are a potential danger to the employee and can have negative consequences for the organization as well.

The change to remote work has even exacerbated the problem of excessive hours for some workers.

It used to be considered a badge of honor to endure the most hours in the office. In many industries it still is. The question of whether longer hours lead to better productivity has never been fully answered. If you insist on working long hours, carry on. Just be aware of the positive and negative implications.

Man in a dark room working late in front of his laptop
Employee drinking coffee at his desk to stay awake.
The Downsides of Overwork

The downside of too many hours

There is evidence to suggest that excessively long working hours can have a negative impact on productivity. Of course, that isn’t always the case. Striking a balance between work hours, workload management, and employee well-being is important for productivity.

A 2019 analysis published in The Lancet concluded from a review of multiple studies that excessive working hours can have detrimental effects on productivity and cognitive performance. It highlighted that long working hours are associated with increased risks of accidents, errors, and diminished work quality.

The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) published a 2019 report that examined the relationship between working hours and productivity across member countries. It found that there is no clear-cut linear relationship between working hours and productivity. While longer hours can initially lead to increased output, beyond a certain threshold, productivity tends to decline due to fatigue, stress, and reduced focus.

The impact of working hours can vary based on individual factors, job demands, and work culture. Striking a balance between productivity and well-being is essential. Encouraging reasonable work hours, promoting breaks, and fostering a supportive work environment can promote overall employee satisfaction and success.

A day for ditching early

June 3rd, 2024 is Leave The Office Early Day.

Taking advantage of Leave The Office Early Day can be a way to recharge, spend time with loved ones, or engage in activities that promote relaxation and well-being.

Remember that work-life balance is crucial for overall productivity and personal happiness. Observances like Leave The Office Early Day serve as a reminder to prioritize self-care and find a healthy balance between work and personal life.

The day’s origin is credited to Laura Stack, a noted employee productivity specialist, keynote speaker and author. Since 2004, Leave The Office Early Day is meant as a reminder to employees to take time for themselves and that it is OK to occasionally take a little time for yourself.

Employees ditching work for National Leave The Office Early Day
Employee on the floor at home working on their laptop

Aren’t we out of the office already?

There has been a significant shift towards remote work and flexible work arrangements for many industries and organizations.

The concept of Leave the Office Early Day is even more valid today with epic shift in works styles away from the physical office.

This shift has led to a substantial number of employees working outside of traditional office spaces.

It’s even more important now that remote work has blurred the boundaries between work and personal life for many individuals. The absence of a clear separation between the two has led to reports of longer working hours and an increased difficulty in maintaining work-life balance for certain individuals.

Leave the Office Early Day encourages employees to finish tasks in a timely manner so they can finish their work sooner.

Observing Leave The Office Early Day

It is a great time for organizations to redouble efforts to adopt agile and adaptive approaches to work, recognizing that being responsive and adaptable to changing circumstances is essential for success.

By reminding employees to celebrate days like Leave The Office Early Day and by embracing a more flexible work culture, businesses can promote a healthier work-life balance. A healthier balance supports better problem-solving, improved decision-making, and increased overall productivity.

On this day, encourage employees to complete all the required day’s work and with approval, encourage them to leave work early to enjoy the rest of the day. Some organizations may schedule fun activities, but those outings might best be saved for other celebrations. Leave The Office Early Day might best be left as employee time away. Encourage employees to post #LeaveTheOfficeEarlyDay on social media.

Leave the office early heading with hashtag

LEAVE THE OFFICE EARLY DAY HISTORY

Mann holding an old fashion alarm clock letting you know it's time to leave the office early

Leave The Office Early Day is credited to Laura Stack, a noted employee productivity specialist, productivity keynote speaker and author. Laura created National Leave The Office Early Day as a reminder to employees to take time for themselves.

The occasion is meant to raise awareness that shorter work weeks can be beneficial and result in gains in productivity and overall employee well-being. Stack noted that Americans work about 49 hours a week and a grand total of about 350 more hours per year than most Europeans.

Leave the Office Earlier Day was developed to encourage employees to finish tasks in a timely manner and so they can finish their work sooner. Her rationale was the perspective that leaving the workplace earlier acts like a Golden Ticket for the chocolate lover inside all of us, encouraging employees to perform tasks to maximum potential and level of productivity.

The concept is even more valid today with the epic shift in works styles away from the physical office.  

Summary

National Leave The Office Early Day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of reducing excessive work hours and highlights the idea that making incremental adjustments to our working hours can improve productivity and overall well-being.

While hard work is often valued, working excessively long hours can have negative consequences for both employees and organizations.

While it was once seen as a badge of honor to spend the most time in the office, the question of whether longer hours actually lead to increased productivity remains unanswered.

Ultimately, individuals should be mindful of the positive and negative implications of working long hours and make informed choices that prioritize their well-being.

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The potential downsides of too many working hours

No one ever said hard work is bad, but be aware that too much work without relief has potential negative consequences.

It’s up to you to show that you care about employees.

Health and well-being

Excessive work hours can have a negative impact on an individual’s health and well-being. Physical and mental fatigue can set in.

health and well being

Productivity

Too many hours can cause decreased productivity, increased errors, and a higher risk of accidents or injuries.

errors

Burnout

Prolonged periods of stress caused by overworking can result in burnout, which not only affects individual performance but also overall satisfaction and positive engagement in the workplace.

burnout

Work-life balance

Consistently working long hours can negatively impact work-life balance. It can strain personal relationships, hinder participation in leisure activities, and compromise physical and mental self-care.

work life balance

Exhaustion

In extreme cases, exhausted and overwhelmed employees may have their decision-making abilities impaired, leading to poor judgment and suboptimal outcomes.

exhaustion

Creativity

When employees are unable to recharge and rejuvenate themselves outside of work, their performance and creativity can suffer. Creativity and innovation can also suffer if employees lack the energy for fresh ideas.

creativity

Motivation

A workforce that consistently works excessive hours can experience decreased motivation and morale.

motivation

Unappreciated

Overworked employees may feel undervalued and unappreciated, leading to disengagement and decreased productivity.

under appreciated

Turnover

Employee turnover rates may increase as individuals seek better work-life balance elsewhere.

turnover
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