If you feel like you need a break, this may be the reason: Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show Australians work longer hours than employees in many other countries, smartmanager reports.
The statistics indicate Aussies put in more hours than our US, Canadian and British counterparts and work 25 per cent more on an annual basis than the Germans and French.
Commentators say this strong work ethic is one of the main reasons Australians – particular those with administrative, IT and business skills – are in high demand by international employers.
It's claimed a growing number of overseas recruiters are heading our way to lure Australians overseas; instead of just offering jobs, these recruiters are also providing advice on visas, tax and health.
Working harder does not necessarily mean working smarter. Whilst it has to be said Australian’s do work hard, there is also a lot of wastage. You only have to look at GDP to know this. There is a reluctance to accept new ideas, especially if it’s not Australian and workplace ethics and emotional intelligence is far behind our European counterparts. Business leaders need to be more switched on, filling roles based on skill set rather than mateship and women in business need to be recognised as equals to their male counterparts rather than silently ridiculed for being the opposite sex. Whilst Australia is arguably one of the best places in the world to live, it’s not one of the best places to work. We need to accept criticism for what it is i.e. a way to accept, acknowledge and act upon change. Unless we wake up to ourselves and accept we need to change, nothing will change. Do what we've always done, and get what we've always got. Or we can stop patting ourselves on our back, accept we're not that good and learn how to improve.
We might work harder but the facts prove we don't work smarter.
Posted by: Jane Maidment | 03 April 2008 at 05:50 AM