Paul YipandChristian Chan

Opinion | Hong Kong must ditch ‘work hard now, pay with health later’ culture

The pressure to succeed at any cost to health and relationships can lead to a hollow victory. Mental wellness must be part of our lifestyle

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A woman exercises during lunch hour at Hong Kong Park, in Admiralty, on May 28. Poor working conditions limit time for physical activity and lead to a reliance on fast and processed food, increasing absenteeism and hurting productivity. Photo: Sam Tsang

Paul YipandChristian Chan

Published: 9:30am, 10 Oct 2024

World Mental Health Day is celebrated annually on October 10. This year’s theme is workplace mental health, which emphasises its importance for not only individuals but also organisations and communities.

Hongkongers work some of the longest hours compared to other developed economies, leaving people with little time to rest, let alone enjoy leisure. Furthermore, according to Oxfam Hong Kong’s latest poverty report, over 200,000 working poor live in our city, more than half of whom are employed full-time.

Our minimum wage remains lower than for many of our counterparts with a similar gross domestic product per capita, and the income gap has widened, especially after Covid-19. The service sector and low-skilled workers are among the hardest hit.

Earning a decent wage that ensures a quality life for one’s family is crucial not only for survival but also for mental health. The government and the business sectors can do more to protect and dignify the working class.

Addressing workplace mental health requires a concerted effort between employees and employers. Many workers are forced to prioritise their jobs over their health. Work-life balance should not be a mere slogan but a right.

Studies on the four-day work week show that productivity does not necessitate long hours. Countries such as France and Australia have introduced legislation to protect employees from after-hours work emails, acknowledging the importance of rest, leisure and family time. Underlying this is the principle of human dignity.