Overworked and underpaid, these are probably some of the most common gripes that many working the 9-to-5 grind would be more than amply familiar with. From clocking long hours in a cubicle to sacrificing weekends for the sake of handling last minute requests, instances of overworking in any professional environment isn’t uncommon, and neither is the burnout that occurs as a result of it.
KL ranked 3rd most overworked city in the world
And while many of us may think of it as just a passing grouse, it would now seem that grievances from overworked employees have more legitimacy than we may think. In a report that was recently published by mobile access technology firm Kisi, they have revealed that in 2022, Kuala Lumpur ranks 3rd in it’s index of most overworked cities in the world!
In fact, Malaysia’s capital is only bested by the likes of Hong Kong, which ranked second, and Dubai, which tops the list. The results are part of an annual study conducted by Kisi, which looks into a number of variables including:
- Work intensity: Measured by how many days a person works, versus the amount of days they take off, in addition to unemployment rates, inflation, and the amount of overworked population.
- City Livability: A metric used to quantify the affordability and comfort of living in a city, which includes variables such as safety, air quality, amount of outdoor spaces, happiness, culture, and leisure.
- Society & institutions: Attributed to such verticals as COVID’s impact on a city, COVID-support, access to healthcare and mental healthcare, as well as inclusivity and tolerance among city dwellers.
The study was conducted by selecting 100 major cities that are well-known for attracting professionals and their families owing to their work opportunities and diverse lifestyles offered. The overall work intensity of each city was then measured based on criteria in relation to overworking, holiday allowance, parental leave, and the adaptability of a job for remote working scenarios. Unemployment figures were also taken into account, alongside the percentage of individuals who have had to take on multiple jobs to survive.
Researchers also noted the inflation rates witnessed in each city, using it as a marker to assess where an individual’s disposable income is most likely to be affected in the current inflammatory environment.
Oslo tops the list as city with the best work-life balance
On the flipside, the top three cities with the best work life balance according to Kisi’s 2022 study are Oslo, Bern, and Helsinki, which occupy the first, second, and third positions respectively.
Many will also be surprised to note that Singapore has been ranked as the best city to work from home from, which is followed by Washington and finally, Austin.
This is the third year that Kisi has conducted this study, with Kuala Lumpur having ranked number 4 in 2020, number 8 in 2021, and now number 3 in 2022, in the Most Overworked Cities ranking index.
Do you think the findings are accurate?
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Also read: Research apparently claims that Malaysian employers are the ‘stingiest in South East Asia’
