Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life

From the author of Overwhelmed, a deeply reported, humane exploration of how work culture affects our lives and what it would take to make work better for everyone.

Praised by Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the WorkLife podcast, as a vital voice on the future of work.

In Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life, acclaimed journalist Brigid Schulte delves into how work shapes our personal and social lives—and why today’s work culture often leads to exhaustion, burnout, and a lack of meaning. Drawing on extensive reporting and compelling human stories, Schulte traces the evolution of work from times when a single earner could sustain a family to the modern era of relentless hours and perpetual availability. She investigates how work affects gender equity, family life, and health, explores movements toward humane workplace practices such as four-day workweeks and better care policies, and highlights leaders and communities forging new paths toward fulfilling work and balanced lives. This book offers both critical insight into systemic problems and a hopeful vision for transforming how we work and live.

“Brigid Schulte has once again captured the zeitgeist with unforgettable stories and unacceptable facts… Over Work shows us how work culture must change.” – Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of New America and author of Unfinished Business.

“A comprehensive, timely, and humane exploration of the great work-life conundrum.” – Alec MacGillis, reporter and author of Fulfillment: America in the Shadow of Amazon.

“Striking data and vivid narratives make this a must-read on how work shapes our lives.” – Alissa Quart, author of Bootstrapped and Squeezed.