I'm overworked and underpaid the overworked american

I'm overworked and underpaid the overworked american

I’m overworked and under paid. The stress on my job is a killer. I have no life outside of my job. Many Americans can easily relate to any of these statements.   One only has to go as far as the nearest break room at any employer to hear comments of this type.   Even after our day at the office has ended, many Americans are still chained to the office by, cell phones, e-mails, voice mails, faxes and pagers. This can leave even the most loyal of employees feeling stressed out, unsatisfied and unappreciated.   Long gone are the days when a person could come home, spend time with the family have a quite dinner, relax and enjoy the fruits of his or her labor.

In a previous job, I held a salaried management position.   When the job was first offered to me, I thought, “Wow I will finally be able to enjoy a good lifestyle with my kids”. No longer would I have to choose between clothes or toys for Christmas. My children would finally be able to have both. So what if I had to work a 50 hour week. I was sure the kids would understand. After all it’s only 2 extra hours per day. Or, so I thought. Steadily each month my work hours increased. Then, they began to include weekends, and from there, holidays.   My 50 hour work week and slowly evolved to a 70 hour work week.   My children were now the proud owners of all the latest clothes and toys (purchased via internet because there was no time to shop), but at what cost?

From the very beginning, America has been obsessed with growth and productivity.   This is what has made our great country what it is today.   But at what point do you draw the line? According to a recent study by the group Center for a New American Dream, about half of the Americans surveyed said they would be willing to trade a day off work each week for a day's less pay each week. (Globe Newspaper Company 2003)   If only we could get our employers to listen to this. Not only would this reduce stress work related illnesses, it decrease staff turnover...