Defining Business Quality of Life (Part 4) Causes

Regarding impact of long hours, and divorce, D. Keith Denton reports in an article "Work, Stress, and Divorce" published by Parents without Partners, that  occupations that evolve "... Long hours, shift work and stress also place a toll on a marriage. Law enforcement officials work twelve to sixteen hour days, nights, weekends and holidays, which might be why some surveys show divorce rates as high as seventy five percent."  In an article, "Time to Go Home", published by Santa Clara University, Tibor Scitovsky, professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University, is quoted as saying he believes we can cure many social evils by addressing overwork. Besides solving the unemployment problem (people without jobs would be hired to work the extra hours), Scitovsky believes that shortening the workweek would shore up the family. In an article for the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, Scitovsky writes..."More time away from work would help make family ties stronger, reduce divorce rates, and increase quality parenting. The number of latchkey children would fall, thereby improving school performance and stemming the school dropout rate that makes so many of our youth today turn to drugs and crime because they are unemployable."  A report published by Circadian (CIRCADIAN® is a global leader in providing 24/7 workforce performance and safety solutions for businesses,) listed five negative impacts to long work hours.  They are:  1)  Increased Health Problems, 2)  Increased Safety Risk, 3)  Decreased Productivity, 4)  Increased Absenteeism, and  5)  Increased Turnover Rates.  Details, along with statistics, and useful graphs can be found at:

  http://www.circadian.com/blog/item/22-5-negative-effects-of-high-overtime-levels.html?tmpl=component&print=1#.VVoXsPlViko

In part 5 we will look at best options to improve Business Quality of life.