While conversations about burnout and work-life balance continue, long hours remain common in the workplace. Monster’s Workaholics Report shows that for many full-time employees, working more than 40 hours a week is not the exception but the norm. In fact, most employees now describe themselves as at least somewhat workaholic.
Based on a national survey of more than 800 full-time workers, the findings suggest that overtime is often determined by workplace culture and expectations, even if it does not improve performance.
While long hours are widely accepted, the personal and professional costs are hard to ignore.
Key findings
- Workaholism is widespread: 76% of full-time workers consider themselves at least somewhat workaholic and 45% say they are definitely workaholic
- Long hours are normalized: 73% of employees indicate that they regularly work more than 40 hours per week
- Extra hours do not equal better work: 80% of employees say that working longer than 40 hours does not improve the quality of their work
- Culture influences overwork: Nearly half of employees (47%) say employer expectations or company culture are the main reasons they work overtime
- Burnout affects health and life: 85% of employees report negative mental or physical health consequences from overwork
Workaholism is now part of normal work life
Working hours are getting longer and for many employees the label workaholic is not seen as something negative. According to Monster’s report, most people are working longer hours than the traditional 40-hour work week, and many don’t see that as a problem.
The research shows that 76% of employees are at least somewhat workaholic. This includes 45% who said they were absolutely workaholic.
When asked how they would feel if someone called them a workaholic, almost two-thirds said the label would feel positive or neutral. 35% said they would feel complimented, 27% respected and 38% neutral about the term. Far fewer people said they would feel insulted or disrespected.
This suggests that overwork has become more socially acceptable, even if it is linked to stress and burnout.
Most employees work more than 40 hours per week
Working longer hours has become the standard for many. When asked about their typical weekly hours worked, this is what employees reported:
- 35-39 hours: 11%
- 40 hours: 16%
- 41-45 hours: 22%
- 46-50 hours: 18%
- 51-55 hours: 11%
- 56-60 hours: 11%
- more than 60 hours: 11%
This means that almost three-quarters of employees indicate that they work more than a standard working week of 40 hours.
Why overtime has become common
The reasons employees give for overwork have more to do with culture and expectations than with personal choices. Here’s how employees responded when asked about the causes of workaholic tendencies:
- Employer expectations or corporate culture: 47%
- Personal ambition or desire to get ahead: 44%
- Lack of boundaries between work and private life: 31%
- Financial pressure: 28%
- Fear of job loss or layoffs: 25%
This mix of external and internal factors shows that many employees feel pressure from the work environment itself and from their own goals.
Longer hours do not increase productivity for most
An important finding from the report is that longer working hours are not linked to better work quality. Among employees who work more than 40 hours per week:
- 64% say the quality of their work remains the same
- 16% say the quality of their work is decreasing
- 20% say quality is improving
This suggests that additional hours may not deliver the value that many employees think they will get from putting in more time.
Overwork has real consequences
Even though long working hours feel normal, the impact on employees is significant. When asked about the consequences of overload:
- 50% reported mental health problems such as stress, anxiety or burnout
- 49% reported physical health impacts, including disturbed sleep or reduced exercise
- 39% said their personal relationships suffered
- Only 15% said they experienced no negative consequences
More than a third of employees (38%) also say they feel very or extremely pressured to be available outside of scheduled working hours.
What job seekers and employees need to know
As you enter, re-enter or progress in the job market, this report highlights some key trends:
- Be clear about expectations: Before accepting a role, ask about typical working hours and what work-life balance looks like. If the culture values ​​constant availability, know how this may impact your schedule.
- Setting boundaries: If overtime is normalized in your workplace, identify the moments when you can protect your personal time and clearly communicate boundaries.
- Focus on results: If extra hours don’t improve your output, consider which goals or performance signals are most important to your team and employer.
- Assess your own priorities: Work that feels meaningful is valuable, but not at the expense of health or relationships. Know what tradeoffs you are willing to make.
In short
Long working hours and workaholic habits are common for many employees today. While dedication to your work can be positive, working longer hours does not necessarily improve performance and can negatively impact health and life outside of work.
Understanding how overwork affects your career and what you can control may help you find better balance in your professional life.
Methodology
The findings in this report are based on a survey Monster conducted in October 2025 among 807 full-time American employees.
Participants answered a mix of yes/no, single selection and multiple choice questions about their experiences with overwork and its impact on productivity, health and personal life.
The sample included workers from a range of industries, age groups, genders and education levels to reflect the diversity of the U.S. workforce.
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