In December of 2024, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy ignited controversy. In a debate regarding the hiring of foreign workers, Ramaswamy argued that the reason companies weren’t hiring Americans was a lack of work ethic in American society. He claimed that American culture “has venerated mediocrity for far too long” and that Americans simply need to work harder to get ahead.
Ramaswamy’s analysis reflects a common misunderstanding that has gripped society: the ill-informed notion that success simply boils down to the work one puts in. Unfortunately, due to this misconception, many have started to glorify overwork, a phenomenon known as the “grindset.”
The grindset, a portmanteau of the words “grind” and “mindset,” describes a hyper-emphasis on unrelenting work. Essentially, it encourages rejecting leisure and dedicating as much time to work as possible. While nothing is inherently wrong with encouraging hard work, when taken to an extreme, this mindset becomes detrimental and counterproductive, as evidenced by workplaces across the United States.
Toxic work culture is common in many companies. X employees are often forced to work beyond their required 40 hours. The former CEO of Infosys suggested employees work over 70 hours a week. And Amazon warehouse workers are often not given so much as a bathroom break during shifts. Though these oppressive practices are meant to extract the maximum value possible from individual workers; in reality, they only force workers to burn out quicker. Therefore, it’s not a surprise that nearly three-quarters of workers in the United States experience burnout regularly. The problem isn’t that employees are lazy or don’t wish to put in the effort. It’s the opposite: They’re already doing more than they can handle. As it stands, the typical worker in the US already works on average over 9 hours more than they’re required to.
Rather than fostering a culture that leads to burnout and mental anguish, it is far more effective to prioritize efficiency – doing more with less – than forcing workers past their limits. It is possible to maintain a balance between hard work and relaxation. A study of 61 companies across the UK found that when a 4-day workweek was implemented, employee productivity remained largely unchanged. Despite working fewer hours, employees managed their schedules more easily and were much happier, continuing to work at a productive rate.
Ultimately, the continued glorification of overwork is a fallacy with real-world consequences. The fixation on working long hours and spending unreasonable amounts of time on work is not one based in reality. Instead, society ought to strive to maintain a balance, one where both the benefits of hard work and a positive culture can coexist.