We're Working Too Hard

Well, at least most people are.  I'm still a slacker:

November's jobs report is probably not going to be good. There will likely be a lot of noise in the data tied to Superstorm Sandy and the closing of Twinkie-maker Hostess Brands.
But some economists see hope for better jobs gains ahead, despite fiscal cliff fears. Why? In a nutshell, those of us who have jobs are reaching our breaking point. That can't continue for much longer.
The government reported some interesting figures yesterday that were largely overlooked by the market. Productivity in the third quarter was revised to a jump of nearly 3%. At the same time, unit labor costs fell nearly 2%.
In other words, we are working a lot harder ... but not seeing the rewards for it in our paychecks. Corporate America seems to be taking their Neil Young too literally. It's better to burn out than fade away. My my, hey hey indeed.
Bob Baur, chief global economist for Principal Global Investors in Des Moines, Iowa, noted that U.S. workers may be reaching the point where they are stretched too thin.
Baur cited figures that showed the U.S. is already one of the most productive nations among the world's largest markets. During the past ten years, the growth in gross domestic product per worker in the U.S. has outpaced growth in Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and Germany as well as emerging market Brazil.
What's that mean? At some point, U.S. corporations need to recognize that they can't keep trying to do more with less, especially if consumers continue to shrug off fiscal cliff fears and spend.

I am amazed at the hours many people I work with put in.  My job is alright, but it sure as hell isn't my life.  Hopefully, corporate profits are peaking, because, as this guy says, something has to give.