One of the pleasant aspects of my new life in Beijing has been rediscovering what it's like to have a lunch break. A whole hour and a half in the middle of a work day to do with whatever I want. That's enough time to meet friends and have an actual sit down lunch. At my old job in Australia, the most common sit down lunches I had were at my desk. Here, you can go for a walk or the gym (depending on pollution), or be productive and get some chores done. Some of my colleagues even take a nap.
I've never had such a good work life balance so it came as a shock to read that this is not the case for many people in China. Young people especially are literally working themselves into an early grave. CCTV reported a recent case of a 24-year-old engineer believed to have died from overwork. While the overtime problem was news to me, it didn't take much digging to see pressure on workers to remain at their desks way past their 8 hours is up has been building for some time. Even those that clock off on time are only a phone call or email away thanks to the internet and mobile phones.
In 2014, it was estimated that 600,000 Chinese die from working too hard each year. Although it's hard to pin down exactly what fatal conditions count towards that, it's an alarming figure. The response to some extreme cases of overtime on social media suggests many stressed out, tired workers don't find it too hard to believe.
Overtime in short bursts is not a bad thing. It gives companies the flexibility to cope with particularly busy times or short term issues. The problem is when the increased workload becomes the norm.
So what can be done about it? One story about this issue, referred to advice on sina.com.cn suggesting people manage fatigue by eating more fruit and vegetables, avoiding coffee, exercising and taking a shower. While those tips are fine for leading a generally healthier and hygienic lifestyle, less caffeine and snacks is not going to be much help to people chained to their desk.
There's really only one solution. Less hours. We can convince someone to go home when they are desperate to impress their superiors, or fear being labeled a slacker if they don't work round the clock, depends more on their colleagues than the boss. No one wants to be the first out the door, but if everyone in a division or team jointly decides not to stay back all hours, no one can be singled out.
That is, of course, easier said than done. Excessive overtime is broader than just a workplace culture. Several academics have pointed to a Chinese belief in total dedication, combined with pressure to contribute to the nation's ever increasing global business might. Adjusting that mindset to allow for a better work life balance will be much harder than changing workers' diets.
Broadcaster
Rose Bolger joined China Daily at the start of November 2016 as a copy editor at the website. Having left her home in the small Australian city, Hobart, to move to one of the biggest cities in the world, she's looking forward to exploring Beijing. During her 10-year career as a journalist she has worked for newspapers, radio and television networks.
挽救生命的牛
with的用法大全
伟大的社会
中考考点:倒装句
for的相关词组
万能英语句型
appear, look, seem的区别
关于birthday的用法
关于友谊的英语演讲
介词for的使用方法
介词作状语
在爱尔兰结婚
中考必考考点:比较级
介词for的用法及相关例句
初中英语必须掌握的英语单词:work
初次见面打招呼口语表达详细讲解
可数名词和不可数名词
用英语自我介绍
there be 句型和have(has)的区别
中考必考考点:一般疑问句
关于how many 的用法
分词的三种用法
句子中的英语语法
机场英语标识语
一个女学生状告学校
给爱人的礼物
英语故事演讲稿
退休后看到的世界
英语口语中经常出现的感叹词的用法
以c开头的英语单词的词组
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |