The World Health Organisation has recently released information highlighting how long working hours are the cause of premature death. The New York Times wrote that the study estimated that working more than 55 hours a week in a paid job resulted in 745,000 deaths in 2016 that is up 590,000 in 2000. The study further showed that around 398,000 of those deaths in 2016 were a result of people having a stroke and 347,000 were due to heart disease.
In South Africa the Basic Condition of Employment Act states that the maximum normal working time allowed is 45 hours a week. That equates to 9 hours a day. This does not mean that an employee must work 45 hours, it serves as a guideline as a contractual agreement with an employer could allow an employee to work 40 hours a week. The act just indicates an employee should not exceed 45 hours a week.
Guest on the line: Devan Moonsamy - CEO of The ICHAF Training Institute