Work Stress

                In Nina Huntemann’s “Irreconcilable Differences: Gender and Labor in the Video Game Workplace”, she discusses the poor work conditions of video game programmers.  Game programming and developing may seem like a dream job to many since it intertwines play with work.  However, nobody can really judge its attractiveness until one actually experiences it firsthand.  While idea of open-space offices, after work LAN parties and relaxed dress code seems pleasant, there always is a flipside.  “This well-crafted veneer obscures industry practices of long hours, unpaid labor and, as this critique from Rockstar Wives reveals, decidedly un-rock star-like treatment: “A sentiment grows [at Rockstar San Diego] that [employees] have lost not only the sense of being valued, but [have been] turned into machines as they are slowly robbed of their humanity.”  This is indeed a powerful and shamefully realistic statement.  Due to poor economy, high competition and various other factors, stress from work is increasing day by day.  Huntemann’s writing does not only apply to the video game industry, but in countless other areas around the globe.  For instance, my father has worked as a mold maker in a particular factory for nearly 20 years.  For the past several years, his benefits were being revoked, a limit on overtime pay was enforced, and employees are expected to work harder than ever.  Perhaps in the upcoming years, there will be an epiphany amongst employers that maintaining happier employees result in increased productivity.  In fact, in the 1930’s, Kelloggs realized this and forced their employees only to work six hours a day instead of the usual eight for full-time pay.  The result was what was to be expected; happier employees led to increased productivity.

                Do you think that decreasing work hours (with equal pay) could actually increase productivity and actually be beneficial to companies?