Most Warped

Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life by Brigid Schulte
Henry Holt and Co., September 17, 2024

The book Over Work comes as if in answer to the solid evidence that workplaces, including schools, are experiencing issues of burnout, retention, and job satisfaction. Author Brigid Schulte explores work as one of the greatest determinants of quality of life and one of the most warped. Living within economic and cultural systems that make it hard to know the answer to significant, inner questions – “When am I done? Have I done enough?” – also make it difficult to know when long hours are reasonable workload expectations and when they are the early warning signs of serious overwork. There are three aspects of this book which make it a worthy read for uncertain times. First, it includes exploration of the individual, organizational and policy-political levels because all need to be involved in bettering the burden of overwork. Second, quite remarkably, it steers clear of simplicity. This text is not about tips and tiny changes one can make to have a better day. Yet, most importantly, it assumes that there are solutions. Schulte finds these by taking a wide view at every opportunity. While focused on American workplaces, she explores longstanding examples of successful approaches in other countries, across cultures and political and social realities. The book shares stories, statistics, and strategies. It argues that families; care; parental leave and wellness policies; the value of listening and deep thinking about power, policy and legislation; and litigation are all needed to make quality of life in our unique contexts a major driver in both our collective and our individual decision making.