It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true: working less can be more productive. Limiting your organization’s working hours encourages employees to work smarter, not harder or longer; this leads to great job satisfaction and lower stress levels.

Theoretically, there are two opposing effects of long working hours on employee productivity. First, longer hours lead to greater productivity as more hours means producing more and second, longer hours lead to fatigue, which can marginalize Productivity (Collewet & Sauermann, 2017).

You can measure employee productivity with the labor productivity equation: total output / total input. Let’s say your company generated $80,000 worth of goods or services (output) utilizing 1,500 labor hours (input). To calculate your company’s labor productivity, you would divide 80,000 by 1,500, which equals 53.

Long hours working was associated with (but was not proved to cause) various negative effects, such as decreased productivity, poor performance, health problems, and lower employee motivation. More men than women worked long hours.

The problem is, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), “Long working hours led to 745,000 deaths from stroke and ischemic heart disease in 2016, a 29% increase since 2000.” The substantial number of strokes and heart disease resulted from working “at …

Lack of sleep and exercise combined with high levels of stress can have a negative impact on your health and in some cases increase your risks of developing health issues. A study conducted by the medical journal The Lancet revealed that people who worked more than 55 hours a week had a 33% greater risk of stroke.

Work hours per week: Working too much is bad “The more time we spend at work the less time we have for other important things in life.” Research suggests that working excessively long hours — usually this means more than 45 a week — is detrimental to your health, physical and mental, in many ways.

For instance, working overtime is closely linked to peer pressure and performance. If your colleagues are working late and if you leave early or on time you are often seen in a bad light. People working overtime are given rewards and recognition sending a wrong impression on the employees.

While both the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and most state labor laws on overtime require that covered, nonexempt employees be paid for their overtime hours at a rate of not less than one and one-half times their regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek, they do not typically place any limit on the …

“Yes,” your employer can require you to work overtime and can fire you if you refuse, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act or FLSA (29 U.S.C. § 201 and following), the federal overtime law. The FLSA sets no limits on how many hours a day or week your employer can require you to work.

For the most part, you never “lose” money from working overtime. You just don’t gain as much as you would have otherwise. In normal brackets, if you work overtime just part of the year, the government takes a little bit too much withholding money, and you get it back at the end of the year.

Employers Can Fire You for Refusing to Work Overtime Because California is an at-will employment state, they may fire you for refusing to work overtime. An employer may require overtime in certain circumstances, and when you refuse to work, they can terminate your contract without it being considered discrimination.

It’s OK to say no to overtime

1. “No. Sorry.”
2. “No. Thanks for asking me.”
3. “No. Please keep me in mind for future open shifts.”
4. “Sorry, I am not available.”

Use these examples to politely say “no” to your employer and coworkers:

1. “Unfortunately, I have too much to do today.
2. “I’m flattered by your offer, but no thank you.”
3. “That sounds fun, but I have a lot going on at home.”
4. “I’m not comfortable doing that task.
5. “Now isn’t a good time for me.

5 ways to tactfully turn down responsibility without appearing…

1. Be forthcoming about your workload. If you sincerely feel that the quality of your work would suffer due to your current work overload, share this, but do it gracefully.
2. Set reasonable boundaries.
3. Talk it through and don’t complain.
4. Be prepared to “show” your workload.
5. Agree to take on part of the project.

1. Use “I” Statements, Not “You” or “We” If you have decided to decline extra work, be sure about both your motives and your level of confidence.
2. Be Honest, Clear and Swift.
3. Follow the Golden Rule.

Try to stay calm and politely explain why you reject and not wanting to do something. Keep in mind, that your boss may not even suspect that his request crosses your borders and hurts you. Saying “no” to your boss can be the first step to take your concerns higher.

How to turn down a job offer

1. Don’t procrastinate. Once you’ve decided to decline the offer, don’t delay writing to the employer.
2. Keep it simple and to the point. Start by being straightforward and honest in your message.
3. Say “thank you”
4. Provide a reason but don’t get specific.
5. Consider offering to stay in touch.

Rejection Email Without a Reason Example I appreciate the time you spent meeting with me to discuss the job. It was a difficult decision, but I will not be accepting the position. I would, again, like to express my gratitude for the offer and my regrets that it did not work out.

Don’t

1. Use a harsh or hesitant tone, and don’t be overly polite either. Instead, strive for a steady and clear no.
2. Hold back the real reason you’re saying no. To limit frustration, give reasons with good weight up front.
3. Distort your message or act tentatively because you’re trying to keep your colleague happy.

How to Back Out of a Job Offer You Already Accepted

1. Be sure you want to reject the job offer.
2. Check your contract in case you’re stuck.
3. Be polite and apologetic.
4. State a good reason if you have one.
5. If there isn’t one, stay vague.
6. Say thank you for the offer.
7. Leave the door open.

There may be personal reasons for declining a job, such as a long commute, travelling away from home, or other life changes that you’re not happy to make.

How to Decline a Job Offer Due to Low Salary (Plus 8 Sample Answers)

1. Try to negotiate.
2. Decline but maintain the relationship.
3. Instead of declining, counteroffer without mentioning salary.
4. Decline and mention salary.
5. Simple decline.
6. Don’t sell yourself short.
7. Give it a thought.
8. Do research.