LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan has been named the least hard-working state, according to a report released by WalletHub.
Wallethub compared the 50 U.S. states across two categories, Direct Work Factors and Indirect Work Factors. Each category was made of a collection of 10 different key metrics. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the “hardest-working.” WalletHub then determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank the states.
Direct Work Factors accounted for 80 points out of a state’s total score, while Indirect Work Factors accounted for only 20 points.
Direct Work Factors:
Average Workweek Hours
Employment Rate
Share of Households where No Adults Work
Share of Workers Leaving Vacation Time Unused
Share of Engaged Workers
Idle Youth (18-24) Rate
Indirect Work Factors:
Average Commute Time: Full Weight
Share of Workers with Multiple Jobs
Annual Volunteer Hours per Resident
Average Leisure Time Spent per Day
Michigan ranked 50th in Direct Work Factors and 39th for Indirect Work Factors, receiving a total score of 29.35.
For comparison, the report says that North Dakota is the hardest-working state, receiving a total score of 66.17. West Virginia was ranked the second least hard-working state, receiving a score of 33.18.
Source: WalletHub
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reports that Americans put in an average of 1,805 work hours per year.
“It’s undeniable that America has fostered a culture of hard work, with people working longer hours than residents of other developed countries and often leaving vacation time on the table,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo in a news release sent to 6 News.
“Working hard is commendable, but people in the hardest-working states may need to consider taking a break once in a while, as a lack of leisure time can have a negative impact on people’s physical and mental health.”
The full WalletHub report can be viewed online.
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