You can count the working week and the working day. This is the cumulative time that a worker spends at the workplace in a week or one day. These rules should be regulated by law on the basis of production process and natural human needs for rest.
Different countries have their own labor standards and the legislative framework in this area. Consider the most "hardworking" countries and those in which the minimum norms of the working week.
Working week in the Labor Code
Working time is the time that the worker spends performing his immediate labor obligations established by the employment contract. It is regulated by the order of a particular enterprise.
The working week in days calculates the time that a person must spend at his workplace. But there is another principle of calculation. Hourly work week shows the total number of working hours in a calendar week. These two concepts are most often used in everyday life.
- how many working days in a week;
- how many hours in each working day.
The product of these two indicators will give the desired figure, but if one of the days is shortened, for example, Saturday, then these shortened hours must be subtracted. For example, 5 days of 8 working hours would make up a standard 40-hour week.
The norms of the working week are prescribed in the law (Labor Code) and in employment contracts. So, in Art. 91 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation it is indicated that the working week should be no more than 40 hours. For those who are officially employed, according to the collective employment contract this is the maximum number of working hours per week that are paid at the regular rate. Overtime, namely in excess of 40 working hours per week, must be paid at different rates.
How many working days in a week
The standard work week is five days. With this schedule, the days off are Saturday and Sunday. There is also a six-day work week with the only day off - Sunday.
A six-day week is introduced where a five-day week is not suitable for the specifics of the work or for the maximum load standards. Many firms work six days a week, especially in the service sector - Saturday is a fairly active day for the provision of services. Many factory workers and other workers who work five days a week apply for certain services on their day off - Saturday. Not only commercial, but also some government agencies work on a six-day schedule.
Some countries practice a 4-day work week. Such a proposal was also made in the State Duma, but did not find support, but only thundered in the news. In this case, the duration of the working days would be about 10 hours, compensating for the additional day off.
Obviously, the duration of the shift is determined by the norms of the length of the working week and the number of working days in it. If we start from the standard figure of 40 working hours per week, then the length of the working day will be:
- 5 days - 8 working hours a day;
- 6-day - 7 working hours a day, Saturday - 5 working hours.
These are the general rules for Russian Federation according to the current provisions of the law.
Calendar of working days for 2015
In 2015, one working hour more than in 2014. With a 5-day week at 40 hours, 2015 contains:
- working days - 247;
- shortened pre-holiday days (by 1 hour) - 5;
- weekends and non-working days - 118;
8 hours (working day with 5 days) * 247 - 5 (reduced hours) = 1971 hours
You can determine the number of working weeks in a year by dividing the received 1971 hours by the norm of 40 hours, we get 49 working weeks. There are special production calendars, in which you can see which days of the week are working. 2015 as a whole is practically no different from the previous one.
Non-standard charts
It is necessary to take into account enterprises where work is carried out in 2, 3 and 4 shifts, the duration of which is different - 10, 12 and 24 hours each. The schedule is set by the employer, who is guided by the opinion of the trade union, as well as the conditions and specifics of the production process.
For example, some heavy industries often work in 3 shifts of 12 hours each, seven days a week. Then, for each employee, a different schedule of shifts and days off is determined, which do not coincide with the usual state holidays. However, the general norms of maximum working time must be observed, and overtime hours must be paid at an increased rate.
For those who work part-time, the working day is defined within 4 hours and the working week - within 16 hours. True, for cultural workers, doctors and teachers, the law provides for exceptions.
Norms for working hours are set both at the level of the Russian Federation and at local levels as part of the drafting of contracts, both collectively and individually.
Weekends and religious traditions
The norms of the working week in different countries are different, in some of them days off may not be those days that are considered as such in Russia. In European countries, the USA and most Asian countries, the weekend is Saturday and Sunday. But in Muslim countries - Friday and Saturday. The working week in this case begins on Sunday and lasts until Thursday - Egypt, Syria, Iraq, UAE. In Iran, for example, the work schedule starts on Saturday and ends on Thursday.
The main day off in Israel is Saturday, while Friday is a shortened day - you can only work until lunch.
This is due to religious traditions and the need to give people a day off to perform the necessary religious rites. The Christian Sunday tradition and the Jewish "Shabbat" form the basis of the official holiday. However, in most developed countries, this is a tradition that has been formed over many years and enshrined in law - an understandable and convenient schedule of working days.
Working schedules of other countries
After the collapse of the USSR, a 40-hour work week was established in almost all CIS countries. How is it in other countries of the world?
The European Parliament has determined the maximum work time, including overtime, 48 hours per week. In addition, some European countries have introduced their own regulatory restrictions. For example, Finland has set both a minimum work time of 32 hours per week and a maximum of 40 hours.
But the standard working week for most European countries is set at 35 working hours: Switzerland, France, Germany and Belgium. Private enterprises usually work more, but in production this norm is strictly observed.
Since the 40s of the XX century, the United States has introduced the norm of the working week - 40 hours. This is relevant for government workers, while in private firms this figure is 35 hours. This reduction in working hours is caused by the economic crisis.
Interestingly, in the Netherlands they gravitate towards a shorter working week and longer working hours. With a standard of 40 working hours per week, companies in the Netherlands are increasingly implementing a 4-day work week with a 10-hour working day.
Who works the most?
It's no secret that the most hardworking people are in China, where people work 10 hours a day. Considering that China has a six-day work week, this comes out to 60 working hours. A lunch break of just 20 minutes and a vacation of 10 days leave no doubt about the leadership of this country in industriousness.
You need to understand that the official working week and the actual data can be very different, and in any direction. In the CIS countries, especially in private enterprises, they tend to work more than 40 hours, while processing is not always paid.
In addition, with all the breaks and shortened days, workers in many countries are working less than the normative standard. The largest gap between official hours and actually worked hours is observed in the USA, Germany and France, where the working week actually has no more than 33–35 hours.
In the same France, for example, Friday is an official working day, but many make it so shortened that there is no one at the workplace after lunch.
But the British, known for their industriousness, usually linger at the workplace, so their week drags on to 42.5 hours.
Statistics on the working week in different countries
Given all of the above, it is only possible to determine, on average, how many hours per week are worked in the following countries:
- USA - 40;
- England - 42.5;
- France - 35-39;
- Germany, Italy - 40;
- Japan - 40-44 (according to some reports 50);
- Sweden - 40;
- Netherlands - 40;
- Belgium - 38;
- Russia, Ukraine, Belarus (and other CIS countries) - 40;
- China - 60.
Although in some sources you can find slightly different data. For example, Italy is named one of the countries where people work the least. It is probably impossible to fully generalize these statistics, but it is necessary to consider them from different angles: for private business, large enterprises etc.
In most of these countries, a five-day work week, there can be a different number of hours in a working day.
4 days in Russia?
It turns out that not only in the Netherlands, but also in Russia, a working week of 4 days could be adopted. In 2014, the State Duma discussed the possibility of introducing a 4-day work week at the suggestion international organization labor (ILO). The ILO recommendations regarding the 4-day workday are based on the possibility of expanding the number of vacancies and jobs. Such a short week gives citizens the opportunity to relax more effectively and efficiently.
However, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation stated that such innovations are impossible for Russia, calling a 4-day work week a luxury. On the other hand, the plight of some citizens would force them to find a second job during these 3 days off, which would adversely affect their health and ability to work.
In exceptional cases.
Article 113. Prohibition of work on weekends and non-working days holidays. Exceptional cases of involving employees to work on weekends and non-working holidaysSee Encyclopedias and other comments on article 113 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation
Work on weekends and non-working holidays is prohibited, with the exception of cases provided for by this Code.
Engaging employees to work on weekends and non-working holidays is carried out with their written consent if it is necessary to perform unforeseen work in advance, on the urgent implementation of which the normal operation of the organization as a whole or its individual ones depends in the future. structural divisions, individual entrepreneur.
Engaging employees to work on weekends and non-working holidays without their consent is allowed in the following cases:
1) to prevent a catastrophe, industrial accident or eliminate the consequences of a catastrophe, industrial accident or natural disaster;
2) to prevent accidents, destruction or damage to the property of the employer, state or municipal property;
3) to perform work, the need for which is due to the introduction of a state of emergency or martial law, as well as urgent work in emergency situations, that is, in the event of a disaster or threat of disaster (fires, floods, famine, earthquakes, epidemics or epizootics) and in other cases, endangering the life or normal living conditions of the entire population or part of it.
Engagement to work on weekends and non-working holidays of creative workers of the media, cinematography organizations, television and video crews, theaters, theater and concert organizations, circuses and other persons involved in the creation and (or) performance (exhibition) of works, in in accordance with the lists of jobs, professions, positions of these employees, approved by the Government of the Russian Federation, taking into account the opinion of the Russian tripartite regulatory commission social and labor relations, is allowed in the manner established by the collective agreement, local normative act, labor contract.
In other cases, involvement in work on weekends and non-working holidays is allowed with the written consent of the employee and taking into account the opinion of the elected body of the primary trade union organization.
On non-working holidays, work is allowed, the suspension of which is impossible due to production and technical conditions (continuously operating organizations), work caused by the need to serve the population, as well as urgent repair and loading and unloading work.
Engagement to work on weekends and non-working holidays of disabled people, women with children under the age of three years is allowed only if this is not prohibited by them for health reasons in accordance with a medical certificate issued in accordance with the procedure established by federal laws and other regulatory legal acts Russian Federation. At the same time, disabled people, women with children under the age of three, must be familiarized against signature with their right to refuse to work on a weekend or non-working holiday.
Engaging employees to work on weekends and non-working holidays is carried out by written order of the employer. GARANT system: http://base.garant.ru/12125268/18/#block_113#ixzz4N5UIrrZX
It happens that the employer is forced to involve employees in work outside the established working hours for them, for example, in the evenings with a normal 8-hour working day or on weekends. Such work is (Article 97 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation):
- or overtime;
- or work on irregular working hours.
Let's talk about overtime hours and see what is the allowable duration overtime for every worker.
Processing under the Labor Code
Overtime hours are work performed by an employee (Article 99 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation):
- firstly, at the initiative of the employer;
- secondly, outside the duration established for the employee daily work(shifts), and with the summarized accounting of working time - in excess of the normal number of working hours for the accounting period.
As you can see, in order to recognize overtime work, both conditions must be met. For example, if an employee performs some work at the end of his working day on his own initiative, then such work is not overtime and should not be paid as overtime (Letter of the Ministry of Labor of 05.03.2018 N 14-2 / B-149). In addition, for such work, the employer is not obliged to provide the employee extra days rest (Letter of Rostrud dated 03/18/2008 N 658-6-0).
Note that involvement in overtime work should not be systematic (Letter of Rostrud dated 07.06.2008 N 1316-6-1). That is, the employer must initially plan the work of employees so as not to include processing in the work schedule.
How many hours per month can you work under the Labor Code
The duration of overtime work should not exceed 4 hours for each employee for 2 consecutive days. There is another restriction: overtime work should not exceed 120 hours per year for each employee (Article 99 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation).
In cases where a summarized accounting of working hours is established for an employee, it is important to consider the following. The employer determines in the rules of the internal work schedule accounting period: month, quarter or other period up to a year (Article 104 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation). The norm of working hours for the accounting period must be equal to the norm established for the corresponding category of employees, but not exceed 40 hours per week. And only at the end of the accounting period it will be clear whether any work was overtime for the employee and whether it should be paid additionally.
For example, for an employee, the accounting period is a quarter. The norm of working hours with a 40-hour working week in the first quarter of 2020 is 456 hours. Suppose a person worked 458 hours during this period. So 2 hours should be paid as overtime. We talked about overtime pay with a summarized accounting of working time.
And it is important to know the following. Even if the number of overtime hours worked by an employee is more than the maximum specified by the Labor Code, the employer must still pay for such processing in full (Determination of the Constitutional Court of December 19, 2019 N 3363-O).
Overtime work under harmful working conditions
Employees who work with harmful conditions labor, a reduced 36-hour work week was established. Can they work overtime? By general rules it is possible if the following conditions are met (Article 99 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation):
- employees have given written consent to perform overtime work, or this is an exceptional case of engaging in overtime work, when the consent of the employee is not required;
- overtime work must not exceed the maximum duration given above.
There has been a flurry of reports in the media praising Sheryl Sandberg, executive director Facebook for leaving work at 5:30 every day to be with the kids. Apparently, she has been doing this for years, but only recently came out openly about it.
What's striking about this story is that Sandberg felt the need to hide this fact, as research for over a century has proven that working more than 40 hours a week actually reduces productivity.
In the early 1900s, Ford Motor Co. conducted dozens of tests to determine the optimal number of working hours in order to achieve maximum productivity. It has been found that 40 hours a week is the "sweet spot" - and that while an additional 20 hours provides a modest increase in productivity, it only lasts for three to four weeks, after which productivity becomes negative.
Anyone who has spent time in a corporate environment knows that what was true of factory workers 100 years ago is true of office workers today. People who work 40 hours a week get more done than those who regularly work 60 hours or more.
Workaholics (and their deeply misguided bosses) may think they achieve more than less fanatical workers, but in every case I've seen, the result of long hours of work must either be redone or thrown away.
Causes of emotional burnout
People who consistently work long workweeks burn out and inevitably get problems in their personal lives that prevent them from working.
I remember a colleague of mine at a company where I worked used the divorce rate in his group as a measure of productivity. Believe it or not, his management reportedly thought it was a perfectly appropriate measure. It is ironic (but not surprising) that this group achieved next to nothing.
Now that I think about it, it seems to me that this is why he used such an absurd (and, to put it bluntly, disgusting) measure.
Proponents of long workweeks often point to even longer average workweeks in countries like Thailand, Korea, and Pakistan, implying that longer workweeks create a competitive advantage.
50-hour week ban in Europe
However, the facts do not support this. In six of the 10 most competitive countries in the world (Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK), it is illegal to require employees to work more than 48 hours a week. The 50-, 60-, and 70-hour workweeks that are now quite commonplace in some parts of the American business world simply don't exist.
If American managers were smart, they would stop this idiocy: "If you don't come to work on Saturday, then don't even bother showing up on Sunday." If you want your employees (salaried or hourly pay) did as much as possible in the shortest amount of time and regularly, then 40 hours a week is what you need.
In other words, no one has to apologize for leaving work at a reasonable time like 5:30 pm. On the contrary, employees should apologize if they work too long every week - because this most likely makes the work of the entire team as a whole less effective.
Although people throughout history have had to work to exist, today humanity lives in a society in which it is assumed that everyone has economic freedom, although in reality people are in real slavery without realizing it. Everyone automatically accepts a forty-hour workweek with meager hourly pay as the norm, even though many work overtime and still struggle to make ends meet. There are also those who earn enough to live comfortably, but at the same time cannot ask for a reduction in the number of working hours: you either work 40 hours a week or do not work at all. People obey when they are told what to wear, when to come to and from work, when they can eat, and even when they can use the restroom. How come they let themselves be treated like this?
Story
The 40-hour work week was introduced during industrial revolution in the UK, when people worked from 10 to 16 hours a day, and at one point they began to protest. Working conditions began to deteriorate for Americans as well, and by 1836 labor movement publications were calling for a forty-hour workweek. 
The people were so tired from backbreaking labor that the eight-hour day was accepted with ease. This system is absolutely unnecessary now (and was it needed then?), but it is still accepted because of the influence of capitalist society.
Impact factors
There are many factors that have contributed to the development of the modern economic system and the continued adoption of the forty-hour workweek. Among them, three main ones can be distinguished: consumerism, inflation and debt. And to begin with, it is necessary to understand what inflation is, how it works, and how it leads to debt as a result.
Inflation
What is inflation? Suppose the US government needs money to fight another war that it has decided to start this year. It requests a loan from the Federal Reserve, and the Federal Reserve agrees to purchase bonds from governments for the amount of the requested debt. The US government prints a set of papers with the word "Bond" written on it, while the Federal Reserve prints a set of papers that are known to everyone as money. 
An exchange (bonds for money) takes place between the Federal Reserve and the Government, and the Government directly transfers the newly printed money to another bank, which in turn receives its share of fees and interest. Voila - money was created out of thin air.
Electronic economy
And although now this process in most cases occurs in in electronic format(only three percent of money is now in physical form, the other 97 percent exists in computers) anyway the problem is that it devalues the dollar. Previously, the currency was valued in gold - it gave money value. 
Right now, the value of money is determined by the Federal Reserve, which has no qualms about lowering the value of the dollar by printing more currency (in other words, creating legal counterfeit money). For just the cost of printing, the Federal Reserve creates money that the US government promises to return - to return money that did not exist in the first place.
Depreciation of money
The same thing happens when banks lend to ordinary people. Every time such a transaction occurs, the value of the currency decreases - and inflation results. One dollar in 1913 was worth 21.6 dollars in 2007. That's a 96 percent devaluation since the Fed came into existence. How does this lead to economic slavery? With the help of debt, which creates inflation.
Duty
Since money is created through loans, it means that it is created through debt. Money equals debt, and debt equals money. So the more money, the more debt, and vice versa. This means that if the government and every individual paid off all their debts, not a single dollar would be left in circulation. The percentage also plays important role in the equation. When you take out a loan and the bank gives you money that doesn't technically exist, you are supposed to pay back that money with interest. And if the amounts that make up the loan come from the Federal Reserve, where does the interest money come from? 
The answer is nowhere. This means that, no matter what, people will never be able to get out of debt, and that is the main goal of this carefully planned system. Someone, somewhere, is bound to go bankrupt to cover the interest that is paid out of even more debt. And so people continue to sink further into the hole of debt as the cost of living continues to rise, so survival in the conditions modern economy becomes more and more difficult. The desperate desire to survive, coupled with the fact that people were born into this system, makes them accept the 40-hour workweek without a second thought.
Benefits for banks and corporations
Now you understand why people calmly perceive the situation in which they are. But how does a forty-hour work week benefit banks and corporations? After all, studies show that the average worker does only three hours of work per eight-hour workday, yet corporate incomes rise and wages fall. 
Productivity is growing, while pay is practically not increasing - this is not the first year. Corporate profits are at the very high level over the past 85 years. So why aren't people getting paid more? Why don't they work less? Why don't those who need it get jobs? All this leads to the concept of consumerism.
consumerism
Consumerism is the belief that it is good for a person to spend a lot of money on various goods and services. Once upon a time, this belief may have seemed justified, but under the modern capitalist system and the high cost of living, consumerism has begun to have a negative impact on society, especially when inflation and rising debt are taken into account. The more people buy, the more they feed the banks and corporations that push people further into the pit of economic slavery. From whatever angle you look at the current situation, society has become unhappy, thoughtless, overworked and overburdened. People buy stupid little things for a few seconds of happiness before they get bored and move on. They feel the need to keep up with the quirks or try to match the image of an adult, which they have learned since childhood. People hide their weaknesses, avoid problems and replace their psychological needs with material objects. If society continues to have no free time, people will be willing to pay more for the conveniences, pleasures, and other forms of relaxation they can acquire. Maintaining an unhealthy state of society has become very beneficial for large corporations, and on this moment their efforts in this area are successful. Society has become an industrial branch that functions through economic slavery, and consumerism is a key factor in this corrupt system - a system that people have the opportunity to influence directly. Consumers are the only people who can stop consuming.
