HONOLULU (KHON2) — How many jobs do you have? And of those jobs, how many are you being paid to perform? Many people in Hawaii are working more than one job. Whether you’re a parent who works at home to prepare meals and project manage your family’s affairs without pay or you’re actually working paid part time jobs on top of your full-time job, you may be experiencing a newly identified phenomenon known as “time poverty”.
Time poverty is the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time to do it. It affects people across all income levels and jobs.
A recent study found that 80% of workers in the United States said they never have enough time. That number has only grown. Even as people earn more money, they feel they have less time.
This lack of time affects workers’ health, their families and their ability to enjoy life. It also affects the quality of work.
To compare what the study has found, KHON2.com reached out to a local resident who works in an office 9-5 and works as a server at a restaurant most nights and evenings while also raising a family.
“I find it very hard to find the time I need to do everything I’m supposed to be doing,” said Reid W. “Like, the worst part about it? I feel like my kids suffer the most from it all.”
When people feel rushed, they are more likely to make mistakes, miss important details or stop caring about their jobs.
They are also more likely to get sick, feel stressed or burnt out. Even their choices as consumers change. They may choose faster options, even if those options cost more or are less healthy.
The effects of time poverty are not just personal. Businesses lose when workers are tired, distracted or unhappy. They may quit or perform poorly which causes high turnover and more resources given to training.
So, while time poverty is something workers feel, it’s also something that affects everyone, including employers, families and society as a whole.
This is what we know from the study:
1. Time poverty is not always about the clock
Time poverty can come from how much work a person is doing as well as how they feel about that time. Two people can have the same schedule, but one may feel more rushed or overworked.
People feel more time poor when their responsibilities compete. Examples are the amount of time needed to take care of children while working or when interrupted with other responsibilities while finishing a big goal.
New technologies also play a role. Being connected all the time makes people feel they need to respond to emails, texts and meetings, even on their days off.
This feeling of being always “on” makes it hard to rest. Even vacations are no longer breaks if the stress returns the moment someone logs back in.
“Yeah, this makes sense to me. I don’t watch the clock, but I feel the clock ticking,” explained Reid. “It’s just always there. Tick. Tick. Ticking away at me.”
2. Workplace pressure makes time poverty worse
A growing number of workers do not take all their vacation time. Many feel guilty or fear falling behind. Some jobs reward people for being constantly busy. This leads to stress becoming a badge of honor. Some even worry they will look lazy if they take time off.
But not taking time off has serious consequences. It leads to burnout, lower quality work and health problems. Businesses that ignore this risk losing their most talented people. Their employees begin to feel resentment; and they become less creative, less helpful and more tired.
“I don’t know. My bosses are pretty understanding,” revealed Reid. “But there are times when a family need arises, and I can see them getting frustrated with me because not just one job requires my attention.”
3. People under time pressure make different choices
Time poverty changes how people act. They may eat more fast food, skip doctor visits or avoid exercise. They may also spend more money on things that save time, like faster shipping or delivery services. They want results quickly. This impatience changes how they shop, eat and think.
Companies have noticed which has led to marketing products that promise to save time, from robot vacuums to ready-to-go meals. These tools can help. Not everyone can afford them, and many people still feel time poor even when they own such products.
“I can definitely say that I’ve made some, let’s just say questionable choices,” said Reid. “Nothing illegal but definitely questionable. I just feel guilty when I want to go and have a quiet day at the beach without anyone else, including my kids.”
4. Outsourcing can help but only if used well
One way to ease time poverty is to delegate. Paying for help with chores or errands can improve well-being. Studies show people are happier when they use money to save time instead of buying more stuff.
But many people are still uncomfortable with this. Some do not trust the tools while others feel guilty asking for help.
The problem is not just time, but how we think about time. Some people feel more pressure to “do it all” and believe asking for help means failing.
“Outsourcing. That’s a funny way of looking at it,” Reid exclaimed. “I don’t know. I don’t want my friends and family to think I’m slacking.”
5. There is no simple fix for time poverty
Giving people more time is not always the answer. Too much time can also lower happiness. What people seem to want is more control. They want to choose how they spend their time and not feel judged or punished for it.
Workplaces that value rest, support vacations and invest in wellness do better in the long run. When people feel trusted to take time, they come back more focused and committed.
“I don’t know how to fix my situation, ya know. I feel trapped most of the time,” Reid said. “I know my employers aren’t going to pay me more. So, I don’t know. I don’t think I can handle another job.”
You can click here, here and here to read the studies.
Companies that support balance see better results. Workers stay longer, feel better and do higher-quality work. Making space for recovery is not just kind; it’s smart.