25-hour working week optimum for over 40’s

(CNS Business): Scientists in Australia have found that people over the age of 40 perform best when they work no more than three days or 25 hours per week. While most people of that age are lucky if they can do less than 45 hours a week, the research suggests that workers aged forty and over will perform better with a much shorter or part time week. The authors of the report analysed the work habits and brain test results of about 3,000 men and 3,500 women aged over 40 and their calculations suggest a part-time job keeps the brain stimulated, while avoiding exhaustion and stress.

The researchers said this needed to be taken into consideration as many countries raise their retirement age. Legislation to increase the retirement age in the Cayman Islands is expected to come before the Legislative Assembly before the end of this year as part of the new labour bill.

Those taking part in the study were asked to read words aloud, to recite lists of numbers backwards and to match letters and numbers under time pressure. In general terms, those participants who worked about 25 hours a week tended to achieve the best scores.

“Work can be a double-edged sword, in that it can stimulate brain activity but at the same time, long working hours and certain types of tasks can cause fatigue and stress, which potentially damage cognitive functions,” the report said.

In a study that looks at the theory of ‘use it or lose it’ when it comes to cognitive ability, the researchers have found that working extremely long hours is more damaging than not working at all on brain function. The figures suggest that the cognitive ability of those working about 60 hours a week can be lower than those who are not employed.

See research here

Category: Local Business