They work harder for the money

[homesick_american 1]

Seems to me that the time spent at work is a rather poor measurement to establish who works harder. Looking at my staff, those that work the hardest (in terms of getting the most done on a daily basis) are actually those that spend the least time at work.

I think US workers are more productive than UK workers; I read that in the Economist. The Germans and the French are more productive than both the US and the UK, and they work far fewer hours.

I don't think anyone has made the assumption that more hours worked = doing a better job.

There's actually a direct correlation between the hours one spends on the job and the productivity. If you know you've gotta put in 10 hours every day, you will pace yourself differently than knowing that you can call it quits after 7 hours.

As for the equation, the very title of the thread actually suggested that spending more time at work translates into working harder. That's what I wanted to dispute. I have known people that were lazy as hell but spent very long hours at work. I do agree that no assumption has been made in this thread that more hours worked = doing a better job. I most certainly didn't make that assumption.

The title of the thread was the title of the article from CNN Money's website. Take it up with them.

[Twomoles 8]

Many things in system you cant even compare. Like in Latvia, to take vacation one month in year is law, no matter how long you work there. So they even push you to take days off. And you have to have 40 days working week, and no more, except in your contract is written different. Employers can be punished if they treat workers against law, and even loose their licenses. Because if in my country there is cut of the staff, first you fire singles, you fire mums with children and person few years before retirement as last. And also, here I know woman who went back to job, just like two weeks after delivering baby. Its totally wrong, so wrong. You there are suppose to get payed time off 1,5 years. Because its job being mum, its job 24/7 too.Government is involved in work relationships. Government here in USA doesn't regulate emplying, its up to company and its free market (Maybe too free).

Of course sometimes things don't happen - corruption and people doesn't know their rights.