The prospect of working overtime has grown increasingly common among employees, who in the hopes of making more money or impressing their boss, work beyond the typical 9 to 5 work hours.
An estimated 80 percent of Americans continue to work after work,
according to the Los Angeles Times. Working more hours became especially popular in the midst of the recent recession, when many Americans, who were determined to keep their jobs amidst the less than favorable economic situation, declined family leave and sick days. The advent of technology has made overtime even more common, as 40 percent of Americans can be caught checking their emails or doing office work at home past 10 p.m.
Working beyond the 40-hour workweek has its costs and its benefits. Here are pros and cons of working overtime:
Urgent: Do You Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Raised?
Pros
1. More Productivity
Overtime can assure you do not fall behind on your work and help you accomplish more during the workday. Projects sometime require more work than can be squeezed into a 40-hour week, so putting in the extra hours can keep you from falling behind, while other employees struggle to finish their work.
2. More Money
If you can afford the time commitment, overtime can help you earn more money. Many overtime laws and mandatory overtime requirements assure that employers compensate their employees for their overtime hours.
3. More Recognition
Employers are likely to recognize extra work and productivity, which may help your work reputation. Working longer hours shows that you are willing to get the job done, which could land you benefits and promotions.
Cons
1. Social and Family Life
The more time you are at the office, the less time you are out or at home. Putting extra hours into overtime can make you miss out on social events, family time, or other functions important to your life and relationships outside of work.
Vote Now: How Do You Feel About the Minimum Wage?
2. Burnout
Working too many hours may cause employees to tire of their jobs too quickly, making work seem more arduous and the employee less productive. An effective balance between work and home life can be essential to productivity.
3. Working Longer for Less
Some salaried employees are exempt from paid-overtime laws, so working overtime may not yield extra income. But even paid overtime might not be what it appears. President Obama’s newly proposed overtime regulations, for example, require that workers paid less than $50,440 per year be entitled to overtime pay. This change may not actually promote higher wages, however, because “the costs of increased [overtime] coverage would ultimately be borne by workers as employers set base wages taking expected overtime pay into account,” Jared Bernstein, former chief economic adviser to Vice President Joe Biden, said,
according to The Daily Signal.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.