Economic Report: U.S. Workers Highly Productive And Most Overworked

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/6850

By Jesse Russell

When it comes to productivity – no one can beat the U.S. of A. – except for Norway – but other than that, we are pretty much on top. Our hardworking brothers and sisters in Scandinavia crank out production value of $37.99 per work hour. Here in the states we come in a commendable worldwide second with $35.63 per work hour – the problem – each U.S. worker produced $63,885 in value-added labor last year making us number one in that category. While it sounds good it comes as a result of U.S. workers putting in longer hours than any other developed economies.

[CountAllVotes]

1. I don't know about the $35.00+ an hour thing

but yes, the average American worker than might make $10 or $15 an hr. is overworked and underpaid and stressed to the max no doubt!

:kick:

[Craftsman]

7. I am under paid and over worked

I already have 436.25 hours of OT this year.

[muntrv]

2. ...And highly underpaid for that work.

[smirkymonkey]

3. I can't take it anymore. I'm so burnt out it makes me wonder if

life is even worth living. I feel that all I do is work and recover from working. It sucks all the joy out of my life and everything else has suffered - relationships, personal life, creativity, health - both physical and mental, etc....

The sad thing is, I am barely making ends meet.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I am so sorry :( Most of the U.S. is in that situation......

It's called unrestrained capitalism and it's purpose is to enrich the rich on the backs of the poor and middle class.

[smirkymonkey]

5. Thanks! I was in much better shape financially 20 years ago, but

life just gets more expensive, my salary seems to creep up slower than molasses (and adjusting for inflation, I'm probably losing money) and my jobs just get more and more demanding (and the older I get, the less easily I bounce back.) I'm 43, but I am beginning to think I will never retire, and I cannot bear the thought of that!

Something has to change! Sometimes I just want to get a little cabin in the woods and grow my own food and live off the grid. I really want out of the rat-race (of course I live in NYC and it doesn't get much worse than this, but I am planning to get out by next spring!)

:hi:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

6. Cool! However, roughing it isn't easy either. :(

Can you live with a group of people and save on rent or home?? Just a silly suggestion.