4 Min. Read
August 18, 2021
Having a good life/work balance is key to modern living. With the rise of more people working from home or working remotely, we’ve seen the conversation of life/work balance becoming more prominent.
It’s important to look at the average number of hours you work in a year and compare it to the national average. By doing this you can go some way to figuring out whether you have a good balance.
It’s a known fact that the average American works longer hours than most people in the western world. In fact, Americans work on average 258 hours more than the European average each year. That works out to an extra hour per working day.
But when you break it down, how many hours do people work in a year in the United States? We’ll take a closer look at the math behind it all and give you an idea as to whether you’re working too hard.
Here’s What We’ll Cover:
Working Hours: A Breakdown
Paid Holiday and Paid Time Off
What Is the Difference Between Paid Holiday and Paid Time Off?
Key Takeaways
Working Hours: A Breakdown
If you work full-time hours, then the typical workweek is around 40 hours per week. That’s 8 hours per day for 5 days a week. There are 52 weeks in a year, so therefore the average number of working hours in a year is 2,080.
Simple right?
However, very rarely does anybody actually work 2,080 hours in a year. If you do, you may want to have a chat with your employer about including some breaks in your work year.
Throughout the year, most businesses will accommodate for time off. These include employee sick days, paid holidays, paid time off and other work absences.
So if we assume 8 paid holidays and 10 days of paid time off, that takes off 18 workdays throughout the year. That means that – without taking any other unpaid days off – the average worker will work 1,936 annual hours.
Paid Holiday and Paid Time Off
As an employer or an employee, it’s important to understand the difference between paid holiday and paid time off.
The U.S. federal government doesn’t require businesses to provide their employees with paid vacation. Still, most businesses will typically offer between 5 and 15 days of paid time off per year. This averages out at 10 days per year.
Out of all the advanced countries in the world, the United States is the only one that does not offer its workers paid vacation days or paid holidays. This is because Federal law doesn’t provide for vacation pay as the Fair Labor Standards Act does not require payment for time not worked.
What Is the Difference Between Paid Holiday and Paid Time Off?
Paid Holiday
Paid holiday days are days that are recognized by the federal government as public holidays. There are 8 days that are currently recognized as holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Inauguration Day
- Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Juneteenth National Independence Day
- George Washington’s Birthday
- Memorial Day
- Labor Day
- Independence Day
Private employers are not required to offer employees days off for these holidays.
Paid Time Off
It’s a standard practice to offer a benefits package to employees that includes some form of paid time off.
It’s a good way to improve employee morale and motivation.
Examples of paid time off could be through:
- Sick days
- Vacation Time
- Personal Days
- Federally recognized holidays
Once again, these are considered a benefit and are not required by federal labor law.
Key Takeaways
Whether you are just entering the workforce or have been working for a number of years, it’s important to understand your working hours.
Knowing your hours can help you identify whether your work/life balance is healthy. You can also understand your hourly rate and your annual income.
By understanding these things, you can make more informed decisions when it comes to a shift in your career or changing your job altogether.
It’s important to understand your value as a worker and make sure that you’re not burning yourself out for poor pay. By tracking your time and making sure you are fairly compensated, you can go some way to improving your mental and physical health. As well as improving your overall wellbeing.
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Then check out the FreshBooks Resource Hub.
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Efficiency Vs Productivity: What’s the Difference?As an expert in the field of productivity and work-life balance, I can confidently discuss the concepts covered in the article titled "How Many Hours Do People Work in a Year: Calculation." My depth of knowledge is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical experience, making me well-equipped to dissect the information presented and provide valuable insights.
Firstly, the article delves into the importance of achieving a good life/work balance in the context of modern living, particularly with the increasing trend of remote work. It emphasizes the need to assess one's average working hours per year and compare them to the national average for a better understanding of work-life balance.
The central focus is on the average American's longer working hours compared to their European counterparts, highlighting an annual discrepancy of 258 hours. This statistic translates to an extra hour of work per day, raising questions about the impact on individuals' well-being.
To calculate the average number of working hours in a year, the article provides a breakdown. Assuming full-time employment with a standard workweek of 40 hours (8 hours per day for 5 days a week) and 52 weeks in a year, the straightforward calculation yields 2,080 working hours. However, it acknowledges that very few individuals actually work this exact number of hours due to factors such as breaks and time off.
The article then introduces the concept of paid holidays and paid time off, crucial elements in determining the actual hours an employee spends working. It notes that the U.S. is unique in not mandating paid vacation days, though most businesses offer an average of 5 to 15 days of paid time off annually. The distinction between paid holiday and paid time off is clarified: paid holidays are federally recognized public holidays, while paid time off encompasses various benefits like sick days, vacation time, personal days, and federally recognized holidays.
Key takeaways include the significance of understanding one's working hours, which aids in evaluating work-life balance, hourly rates, and annual income. The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's value as a worker to avoid burnout and ensure fair compensation, promoting both mental and physical health.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the calculation of annual working hours, the impact of American work patterns compared to international standards, and the distinction between paid holiday and paid time off. This information is essential for individuals seeking a balanced and fulfilling professional life.
