- 72% of people in the study reported spending more than 40 hours at work
- Above this level, the risk of chronic disease increases for women
- Working more than 60 hours a week triples risk in women – but not men
- Men who worked 41-50 hours per week actually had a lower risk of heart disease, lung disease and depression than those who worked 40 or fewer
Katharine Sharpe For Mail Online
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Many of us believe racking up the hours at our desk will lead to a promotion or a pay rise.
In fact, a study shows women who work more than 40 hours a week for 30 years could be increasing their risk going to an early grave.
Working more than 60 hours could triple the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis,
As 72 per cent of people in the study admitted to spending more than 40 hours at work, results showed they were storing up huge health problems for later in life.
And bizarrely, working long hours seems to raise the risk of disease in women – but not as dramatically in men.
Women who work more than 40 hours a week for 30 years could be increasing their risk of developing life threatening illnesses, a study has found
Earlier studies have shown overwork results in stress, sleep and digestive problems – but this is the first to find a conclusive link between long hours and serious, life threatening illness.
A team from Ohio State University analysed statistics from 7,500 people over a 32 year period.
Men did not seem to face such a marked increase in the risk of disease.
In fact, those who worked 41-50 hours per week actually had a lower risk of heart and lung disease and depression than those who worked 40 or fewer.
However, men did see a rise in arthritis cases the more hours they worked.
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Previous studies suggest that this could be because women are more likely to have more family responsibilities, and may face more pressure and stress than men when they work long hours.
Lead author Professor Allard Dembe, of Ohio State University, suggested that in addition, work for women may be less satisfying because of the need to balance work demands with family obligations.
‘People don’t think that much about how their early work experiences affect them down the road,’ he said.
‘Women in their 20s, 30s and 40s are setting themselves up for problems later in life.’
He said it was in the interest of the employers to make sure their workers were healthy, and called on both them and Government regulators to address the culture of over-working.
Those working more than 60 hours could triple the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and arthritis. Yet long working hours did not increase men’s risk of disease increase as dramatically, researchers found
He also suggested more flexible schedules, health coaching while at work, and in-work health screening and support could reduce the health risks.
Only 28 per cent of workers actually worked fewer than 40 hours a week.
Some 56 per cent worked an average of 41 to 50 hours; 13 per cent worked an average of 51-60 hours; and 3 per cent averaged more than 60 hours work.
The statistics came from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, with researchers interviewing employees about their working habits and medical histories.
Professor Dembe warned that because the study looked at those who had early-onset versions of these illnesses, there could be an even greater danger for lifetime risks.
‘The early onset and identification of chronic diseases may not only reduce individuals’ life expectancy and quality of life, but also increase health care costs in the long term,’ he said.
The researchers suggested more flexible schedules, health coaching while at work, and in-work health screening and support could reduce the health risks associated with long working hours
There were a couple of limitations to the study findings – it did not take into account those who worked long hours earlier in life before working fewer later on, instead focusing on those consistently working extended hours over 30 years.
It also didn’t take into account the difference between mandatory and voluntary overtime, which Professor Dembe says could make a difference to health.
‘You might still be working hard, but the fact that it’s your choice might help you stay healthier,’ he said.
The findings were published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
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