Which is the most and least hardest working country? (living, professionals)

[acatalanb]

I've always wondered which country worked the most hours per week with the least vacation days per year (most hardest working country) and which country worked the least hours per week with the most vacation days per year (least hardest working country).

My take:

Most hardest working country in the world : United States with two weeks vacation (if offered by employer) and 40 hour work week. I've known a lot of Americans who'd spend time working while on vacation and work more than 40 hours a week on average. I've also known a lot of Americans who'd work part-time or temporary with no paid vacation.

Least hardest working country in the world : France. Correct me if I'm wrong, France forces you to take about 7-9 weeks paid time off? 35 hour work week?

As an American worker, the French way is very appealing to me.

[choroneko]

US is already laidback compare to Japan.
Japan is probly the most workaholic nation. Its like Japanese people have no life outside their career. That probly explains the weird and unusual entertainments they have.

[Trimac20]

Read an article not long ago, apparently Americans work longer hours on average than the Japanese.

The Latin countries, French, Italians, Spanish, really know how to have a work/life balance.

[dunno what to put here]

Hardest working will be sweatshop economies like China, India and Bangladesh.

Least hard working will be nations such as Italy and Spain - though this will be coming to an end as they know realise they cannot retire at 50 and continue to live the life style they have.

Also nations such as Germany, the US and the UK work hard and for long hours and retire later then say France or Spain

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by dunno what to put here

Hardest working will be sweatshop economies like China, India and Bangladesh.

Least hard working will be nations such as Italy and Spain - though this will be coming to an end as they know realise they cannot retire at 50 and continue to live the life style they have.

Also nations such as Germany, the US and the UK work hard and for long hours and retire later then say France or Spain

Something to do with the 'Protestant work ethic.'

[Tom9]

Japan then South Korea.

[dougie86]

Which is the most and least hardest working country?

Long hours do not equate hardest working... imo .. unless you're referring to the IT industry. The amount of hours they put in is shocking. I heard that Microsoft relocated their Richmond (BC) office to downtown Vancouver, amongst others, was that many of their staff were new drivers on "N" plates, hence not permitted on roads after midnight, whereas working and living downtown required no driving.

I've come across IT professionals from UK, Singapore, France, US, India, China .. and they all work crazy long hours.

[Tom Lennox 70]

I think Spain, France, Italy seem to work the least, don't know about Latin American or Caribbean countries. The US is probably the hardest working Western country, but i'm sure the Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and South Koreans and Indians work more

[acatalanb]

Originally Posted by dougie86

Long hours do not equate hardest working... imo .. unless you're referring to the IT industry. The amount of hours they put in is shocking. I heard that Microsoft relocated their Richmond (BC) office to downtown Vancouver, amongst others, was that many of their staff were new drivers on "N" plates, hence not permitted on roads after midnight, whereas working and living downtown required no driving.

I've come across IT professionals from UK, Singapore, France, US, India, China .. and they all work crazy long hours.

I can relate to that. I think the I.T. industry is also one if not the most unstable industry to work in ... probably equates to the entertainment industry (hollywood but at least they have a union)

[swisswife]

there is a BIG difference between 'working long hours' and 'being at work long hours'

I had an argument - and won - with a former boss when I wanted to leave the office at 4.30 instead of 5.30.
We all started work at the same time but I ate breakfast on my way to work and actually started work at 9.00 whilst others ate breakfast at their desk. I didn't smoke so didn't have 'smoke breaks' and I rarely took a whole hour for lunch. I was far more productive during the time I was at my desk and was usually the one to help others out with their work load as I had completed mine.... from that day on if I had completed my work I left at 4.30.

so simply being at work for a long time doesn't mean you are working harder....