DIMINISHING RETURNS AT WORK: The Consequences of Long Working Hours

Diminishing Returns at Work focuses on working hours - in the past and in the present, in America and in Britain. John Pencavel illustrates the proportional relationship between hours of work and outcomes such as production and health. Increases in hours of work are shown to result in smaller increases in production and the benefits in output of long working hours may not offset the consequences of long hours for the health and quality of life of workers. Shorter hours of work might benefit both firms and workers.

John H. Pencavel is the Levin Professor of Economics-Emeritus, Stanford University.