An online global survey of 95 employees in 2011 by international business company Regus found that one in five Singapore workers worked more than 11 hours a day.

This is higher than the average working hours of employees globally.

Almost 50 per cent of Singapore workers in the poll also said they have taken work home more than three times a week.

I work in the food and beverage industry, and my colleagues clock in more than 10 hours a day, five days a week.

This amounts to more than 50 hours a week, exceeding the 44 hours a week stipulated by the Ministry of Manpower.

There are ways to reduce overworking.

For instance, employees can take more stress-free breaks.

Studies have shown that taking breaks and relaxing help to improve productivity. In contrast, working for hours without breaks decreases concentration, resulting in slower progress.

Employers can also try reducing the working hours or the workload of employees and find ways of motivating them.

Jarryl Goh