(Oct 6): There is an unspoken assumption that the 40-hour workweek has been the enduring norm for centuries. We imagine medieval peasants leading monotonous lives, toiling tirelessly from sunrise to sunset.
However, if this is indeed the norm, then why are 65% of Malaysian employees ready to sacrifice higher pay and career advancement in exchange for an improved work-life balance?
Work-life balance has become a sought-after quality that society can offer. In light of rising demand for this attribute, it is imperative that we go beyond providing mental health solutions to examine the underlying factors that have led to such a widespread craving for work-life balance, as something fundamental appears to be amiss.
A journey through the history and etymology of work would provide us valuable insights into the socio-economic factors that have shaped the way we work and live now.
During the Stone Age, hunter-gatherers worked for an average of three hours per day. In the 16th and 17th centuries, absenteeism was commonly tolerated, especially on the first day of the workweek, which eventually earned the moniker “Saint Monday”. Work during these time periods primarily served the function of survival, with no distinct separation between one’s professional life and personal or family life. Work was more informal and casual.
Then came industrial capitalism and the popularisation of mechanical clocks during the early Industrial Revolution period. Time became equated with money, the employer-employee dynamic evolved into one that resembled that of master and slave, and workers were reduced to mere factors of production, like raw materials or commodities. Rules surrounding workplace productivity reigned supreme. And work began to occupy a disproportionately large portion of the average worker’s day, becoming a concept foreign to and distinct from "life."
In the 19th century, workers began fighting back for a shorter workweek, uniting behind the cause known as the Shorter Hours Movement, which came to a halt during the Great Depression. “Full-time employment”, “productivity” and “growth” re-established themselves as virtues, and “leisure” and “unemployment” naturally filled the position of vices. This shift not only crushed the previous efforts to right the wrongs of industrial capitalism, but also created a fertile breeding ground for capitalistic values to prosper. The focus on productivity and growth has since expanded its influence and firmly embedded itself in the societal norms that define modern-day work life.
On average, Malaysians work 15 hours more than their contracted hours each week, according to The Malaysia’s Healthiest Workplace Survey by AIA. For most, this is to “pay off” the burdensome debts of capitalism, including the rising cost of living, wealth inequality, and socioeconomic disparities. But many also willingly subject themselves to the self-optimisation of performance even when they have already achieved a sufficient level of success, as a residual effect of capitalism. Even leisure has been commodified and turned into another form of productivity, sometimes becoming just another item on the to-do list, rather than a true respite from work-related stress.
As we have seen so far, work has evolved from an informal endeavour to an unrelenting quest for productivity and achievement. However, it is not clear that the aspirations of workers have undergone equally radical changes.
While there are ambitious workers who genuinely champion the principles of capitalism — workaholism and endless productivity — the steep rise in demand for work-life balance suggests that deep down, many simply crave a more modest lifestyle where their fundamental needs are met.
The rising population experiencing burnout serves as a warning sign, signalling the necessity for a return to a more balanced and holistic approach to work and leisure — a lifestyle reminiscent of that of pre-industrial societies.
What we need are not superficial band-aids to stem burnout like no-meeting Fridays, hybrid and remote work arrangements, and additional days off, but rather genuine solutions to enable workers to support their livelihood while enjoying the freedom to pursue leisure and activities meaningful to themselves. This is how things have been and should be.
As a start, workers should be given alternative, more flexible work arrangements to full-time employment such as job sharing, flexitime, compressed workweeks, or even the option to exchange salary with time-off.
The government should also advocate for the elimination of hierarchical or authoritarian workplace practices that, regrettably, still persist in Malaysian society. These industrial era gimmicks that are no longer relevant include clock-in, clock-out systems, extensive work surveillance, overly rigid dress codes, non-compete clauses and unpaid overtime.
And as burntout workers, it is prudent not to restrict ourselves to a rigid interpretation of work-life balance, such as the definition that quantifies work-life balance solely as “the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy”.
It is perfectly fine to alternate the pace of our workweek, oscillating between periods of intensity and leisure. In fact, it is advisable to welcome leisure and bouts of boredom into our lives more frequently to facilitate self-discovery, creative and intellectual development, and more authentic work. We should keep in mind that we are not mere automatons designed exclusively for ceaseless productivity.
A great place to start embracing a more balanced lifestyle is at the Live Love Labour Festival 2023, themed the Art of Bersantai, a festival aimed at inspiring burnt-out Malaysians to slow down and rediscover the joy of leisure. If you are up for the challenge, you can also participate in the Space Out competition at the festival, where you will experience the transformative power of inactivity. Admission to the festival is free of charge.
The message of this article is not about advocating for a complete regression to our ancestors’ lifestyle, but rather a poignant reminder of who we are as human beings — rational and social animals who need time for contemplative reflection and fostering meaningful connections with others.
Chew Zhun Yee is co-founder and Managing Director of the Malaysian Philosophy Society.