Six Ways The American Work Ethic Is Killing Us

The American work ethic has always been “if you work hard, then you will be rewarded financially.” Anyone can achieve this “dream.” The truth is just the opposite.

While hard work is important in most occupations, it doesn’t guarantee huge financial rewards or happiness. These days, the American dream that those who are suffering in other countries are now no longer entitled to even the idea of hard work pays off.

We have been conditioned to believe that we are lucky to have to only work eight hours a day and 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday. We are taught to be grateful for the labor laws that came out of the Great Depression.

Every year, there’s more and more evidence that perhaps America is even more unkind to its workers. When the pandemic caused the stock market to fall and people to lose their jobs overnight, it became clear that some of the gains that were made in the 1930s have become almost irrelevant for the country we’re supposed to be.

Here are the numerous ways the so-called “American work ethic” only leads to an early death:

1. Many companies require overtime. While getting paid time and a half is sometimes a nice perk, the hours themselves take their toll. We have less time with our families and less leisure time. If you aren’t paid by the hour, oftentimes, you don’t get paid extra for overtime.
2. Cost of living for the minimum wage should be approximately $23. There has been a fight just to double the current minimum wage to $15. Having worked in an hourly position for the last seven years making more than $15 but less $23 an hour, it’s next to impossible as a single mom to survive on what I made. This means cutting back on necessities like decent food and just popping some over the counter meds instead of seeing the doctor aches and pains.
3. Eventually, the dam will break and the illness is so severe that it is something that requires hospitalization or surgery. In my case, it might mean an organ transplant and then losing your job because all along you had an undiagnosed brain condition.
4. Some career paths do require 60-80 hours a week of work to succeed. Granted, these pay the most so the compensation usually makes it worthwhile.
5. Almost every American suffers from stress. It leads to ulcers, heart attacks, and ultimately, death. During the height of the pandemic, people left their jobs in record numbers. Companies did nothing to change their ways to make workplaces better. Even now, particularly with service jobs and lower middle class professions, little is being done to make the workplace better.
6. Depression and anxiety from work matters to dealing with coworkers is common. That leads to drug and alcohol abuse and possibly suicide.

The current status of the workplace is one of many reasons I don’t think I could cope in a traditional job anymore. I honestly believe the stress of working would cause so much anxiety and depression that I would end my own life. I can’t do it again.

I’m not suggesting a socialist workers’ revolution. I’m just saying you should consider more balance in your life. Everything can be gone in the blink of an eye. Why should we work so hard for something that will kill us without any enjoyment of the money we earned?

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