The Examined Life

Is the 40 hour work week dead? [Elle Griffin]

Feb 6, 2025

Elle Griffin, founder of The Elysian media cooperative, discusses the evolving landscape of work as 70% of salaried workers report clocking less than 40 hours a week. With AI and automation enhancing efficiency, people are choosing to create more rather than simply working less. They explore the potential for a 20-hour workweek and the shift in career prestige towards entrepreneurship. Additionally, they delve into the balance of work and leisure, emphasizing the importance of personal passions in this new work paradigm.

01:02:39

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Elle Griffin

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Quick takeaways

A significant 70% of salaried workers now clock less than 40 hours, indicating a shift in traditional work expectations.

The introduction of AI and automation is enhancing productivity, allowing professionals to achieve more without necessarily working fewer hours.

As leisure time increases, many individuals are prioritizing creative pursuits and experiences over consumerism, reflecting changing values in work-life balance.

Deep dives

The Future of Work

The traditional 40-hour workweek may be on the decline, as many people report working fewer hours while still fulfilling their job responsibilities. This shift stems from changes in how work is structured, particularly in the service and tech industries, where tasks can be accomplished more efficiently. Many employees in salary roles find that they can complete essential tasks in less time than expected, leading to a growing disparity between hours worked and tasks completed. Examples from surveys reveal that a significant portion of respondents work less than 40 hours a week, highlighting a potential reevaluation of work expectations.

Reevaluating the 40-Hour Work Week in Today's Workforce

02:38

The Evolution of Work and Leisure

05:18

Navigating AI and the Human Touch in Coding

03:03

Intro

2min

Reevaluating the 40-Hour Work Week in Today's Workforce

3min

Rethinking the Work Week

18min

The Evolution of Work and Leisure

5min

Contrasting Perspectives on Change and Innovation

9min

AI's Impact on Work and Creativity

9min

Navigating AI and the Human Touch in Coding

3min

Reclaiming Time: The Balance of Work and Leisure

14min

Is the 40-hour work week dead? Elle Griffin’s research shows that 70% of salaried workers clock less than 40 hours. But here's the twist: as AI and automation make us more efficient, we're not necessarily working less – we're choosing to create more. From remote software engineers to newsletter writers, the future isn't about less work, it's about having the freedom to choose how we spend our time. [Episode 88] Elle Griffin is the founder of the media cooperative The Elysian.

Learn more about Elle:

• Elle's Website

• Elle's LinkedIn

• The Elysian Substack

• The Elysian YouTube channel

References from the show:

• Are 20-hour workweeks on their way?

• How many hours do you actually work at your salary job?

• Is your company wasting your time?

• Is it for work or for pleasure?

• You’d still work if you didn’t have to

• Will we return to craftwork?