Rethinking Work Hours: The Case for Balance in SME Growth Strategies?
Overwork is more than a health risk—it’s a threat to productivity and sustainability, especially for SMEs. Studies by the WHO and ILO reveal that working 55+ hours weekly significantly raises the risk of stroke and heart disease, with 745,000 deaths linked to prolonged hours in 2016 alone. For SMEs, whose success hinges on human capital, chronic overwork leads to cognitive decline, impaired creativity, and absenteeism. The productivity paradox is clear: longer hours diminish critical thinking and problem-solving, undermining the very qualities that drive innovation and growth.
