Many reasons factor into why Americans tend to work longer hours than other countries. Mainly, I think this is due to the culture that is embedded into most American companies. I do think it is beginning to slowly shift to a more flexible work/life balance as the new millennial generation is beginning to join the work force, however, I still think on average people still are working 40+ hours weekly. In my opinion, this American culture is driven by the idea or belief that working longer hours will increase productivity/profit and allow us to achieve more success and advance in our careers and life through hard work. This becomes a feedback loop because American employers incentivize these individuals through higher pay and promotions which reinforces this culture. I’ve found that a lot of companies in the stem field tend to have this culture. When I worked as a contractor (with little PTO days) in an engineering role I always felt the unwritten rule that if you want to move up in the company and become full time you had to put in the grueling hours to succeed. With the very little PTO I had it was very draining and hard to live a normal life which definitely hindered my motivation at work.

I think this is actually an important topic to discuss that should be mentioned more often. I believe all reasons mentioned could serve as a reason that people work 40+ hours a week. But peer pressure may lead as the number one cause. From personal experience watching my family go to work over the years, the narrative was to basically "please" the boss. If they needed an extra 4-5 hrs from you it was seen as disrespectful to say no. The fear of losing your job will make many put in extra time even if it is not healthy for them.

I feel people spend more time working just because they have to. More and more people are driven by responsibility but not by their own willingness. The schedule consists of continuous deadlines. I believe somebody still can finish the task they have been given earlier. But they will be given more jobs. When people get used to this working model, the job will become part of the responsibility that harms motivation. In my opinion, the number of tasks should have a limitation. Working 40 hr a week is reasonable, but people should have options for the rest of the time, whether they choose to work more or have a Friday off after finishing the job earlier. 

I think Americans need to work more hours per week because the cost of living is high in the US due to inflation, unemployment, and low salaries. There is a need to work more than 40 hours a week because the money is needed to survive. I found that to be a demotivation factor because you are not working because you enjoy what you are doing but because you have to do it. What people make these days is not enough and they need to have a secondary job to compensate for their financial needs. 

I think that Americans on average are putting in more work hours per week than other countries, mainly the EU that I can think of, due to the differences in work culture and cost of living in the states. While it may be true that a considerable amount of individuals are working longer hours to "keep up with the Joneses" and support a certain lifestyle, it is also true that there aren't enough resources for the work that is assigned. I can't speak on the trends for the EU, but in my job search, I noticed that many companies that claim that they are hiring entry level positions are still looking for individuals with a certain amount of exposure in a specific skill or area. In my opinion, this is no longer entry level because the way that I interpret it, entry level positions should teach you everything that you would need to know for the job. Because of factors like these, people can find it hard to get started in their career. Or, if they do get started, the wage doesn't match up to their expertise levels. Factoring in bills, medical expenses, and other fun expenses that give you the will to live, Americans need to work a lot to be able to live a happy, fulfilling life. 

In the cases of unpaid overtime, I think that is something that seems to be on a negative trend with my generation. With the people that I have worked with so far, I've noticed that my generation tends to have better work/life boundaries. Unless it was my own personal business or a company that truly values me as an employee, I do not foresee myself putting in unpaid overtime. If I am getting paid to work 40 hours, I will work 40 hours, not more. This is because I won't be paid to work more, and I want to enjoy my life. 

Some industries in the US may have a culture of overworking that promotes long work hours and sees it as a sign of commitment and dedication to the job. Additionally, the lack of mandatory paid vacation time and a lack of work-life balance in many workplaces can contribute to people working more hours than necessary. overworking can lead to burnout, stress, and fatigue, which can ultimately lead to demotivation and decreased productivity. In contrast, having a healthy work-life balance and taking adequate time off can improve job satisfaction, reduce stress, and increase motivation and productivity. Therefore, it is essential to strike a balance between work and leisure time to avoid burnout and maintain motivation and productivity in the long term.

I agree with the notation that Americans work more hours per week than most other countries due to the peer pressure that is felt by others working long hours, even outside of the 40-hour work week. To many in America, working longer hours is critical to advancing in their careers as well as better supporting for themselves and their families in an effort to achieve the "American Dream." Across other countries globally, it is interesting that many individuals work shorter weeks, even in countries where the average pay is much lower than in America. Many countries across the Middle East have individuals that work much fewer hours even with much lower salaries than that of the United States. These individuals spend less time working than Americans and, as a result, have even lesser salaries. There are some motivated individuals that work more due to their motivation but I think it is most likely in order to not fall behind their peers. This, thus, results in overworking which in turn causes demotivation. Working these long, extra hours could result in a decrease in mental health, which would also cause individuals to lose motivation and start to dislike their work.