NZ workers half as productive as those in US!

**firefighter** · 6th October 2008, 12:43

N.Z is quickly losing it's rep as having hard working people....

6 October 2008
The productivity of workers in New Zealand has slumped to almost half that of workers in the United States.

A Department of Labour report out today shows productivity at the workplace is among the lowest in the OECD. The figures show New Zealand's GDP per hour worked has fallen sharply to just 56 percent of what workers in US produce.

Nearly all other OECD nations fare considerably better, with most other countries report their productivity is rising. The report says New Zealand is now in the unenviable position of having a large labour productivity gap.

It suggests one of the causes may be having less skilled people taking up lower paid jobs.

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/articl...104&fm=psp,tst

hmmmm, yes I totally belive this after seeing the lengths staff go through to help you on my recent visit to the states, especially compared to the service you find here. last weekend I asked a big Island woman at the warehouse a question about something in her section, she scoffed as she raised herself from her seat and looked for an eighth of a second on the computer screen, said na! in a pissed off way and sat down....I notice this sort of thing a lot since my return and it is really bad, I feel like I OWE a shopkeeper something now if they do their job well......and do that little bit extra.

**xwhatsit** · 6th October 2008, 12:48

In other ways it's almost a blessing, at least in higher-up jobs. You always here people talking about how in the US nobody wants to take their holidays or a day off; they work in the office well after the normal 9-5 bit, trying to do way too much. If you think about using that comparatively small amount of annual leave they get, no promotion or payrise for you next time!

It's all extremes and stereotypes of course, but even though New Zealand is slowly heading that way, I'm glad we're more aligned with the traditional French `work to live' way of life (even though Sarkozy wants to change this) than the American `live to work' method.

**firefighter** · 6th October 2008, 12:52

Originally Posted by xwhatsit

In other ways it's almost a blessing, at least in higher-up jobs. You always here people talking about how in the US nobody wants to take their holidays or a day off; they work in the office well after the normal 9-5 bit, trying to do way too much. If you think about using that comparatively small amount of annual leave they get, no promotion or payrise for you next time!

It's all extremes and stereotypes of course, but even though New Zealand is slowly heading that way, I'm glad we're more aligned with the traditional French `work to live' way of life (even though Sarkozy wants to change this) than the American `live to work' method.

Erm, dude there was a story recently somewhere (cambell live maybe?) about how we work longer hours than ever before, yet we are near the lowest in the OECD, that is NOT a good thing!

**Cajun** · 6th October 2008, 12:54

do away with KB @ workplaces and i am sure nz productiviy would shoot up the rankings

**Quartermile** · 6th October 2008, 12:56

I always thought it wasn't so much we work hard here, but more those who go overseas often work harder, which may still be the case.

**jrandom** · 6th October 2008, 12:57

Economically speaking, New Zealand is what it is and will always be what it will always be: an extraordinarily beautiful milk powder and woodchip factory.

I'm not entirely sure that the average low-wage worker can make much difference to that fact via personal enthusiasm.

And, yes. NZ's part of the South Pacific and will always reflect the cultural mores of this part of the world, which do tend to involve a lot of sitting on one's arse and having another Tui.

I have difficulty growing particularly exercised over any of the above, inasmuch as I quite enjoy being here. Some might use the words 'lassitude' and 'ennui' in describing the situation; I prefer 'peace' and 'quiet'.

**crazybigal** · 6th October 2008, 13:01

pay peanuts, get monkeys!!!

hmmmm, yes I totally belive this after seeing the lengths staff go through to help you on my recent visit to the states, especially compared to the service you find here. last weekend I asked a big Island woman at the warehouse a question about something in her section, she scoffed as she raised herself from her seat and looked for an eighth of a second on the computer screen, said na! in a pissed off way and sat down....I notice this sort of thing a lot since my return and it is really bad, I feel like I OWE a shopkeeper something now if they do their job well......and do that little bit extra.

**firefighter** · 6th October 2008, 13:19

Originally Posted by Quartermile

I always thought it wasn't so much we work hard here, but more those who go overseas often work harder, which may still be the case.

I think you may be correct with that, I have friends overseas who are still finding it very easy to get work

**Colapop** · 6th October 2008, 13:22

Feels like I'm working my arse off and getting nowhere! I know I'm working hard but the rates of pay here are just not what they are overseas.

**Motu** · 6th October 2008, 16:58

I wonder how the work ethic thing looks with an age factor put into the graph.

I know as the oldest member of the team I take the fewest sickies....and only because I'm actually crook.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th October 2008, 17:04

Originally Posted by firefighter

Erm, dude there was a story recently somewhere (cambell live maybe?) about how we work longer hours than ever before, yet we are near the lowest in the OECD, that is NOT a good thing!

the longer hours, or the being on the bottom of the OECD? because it is two different things, and I dont believe there is necessarily a causal relationship there.

In fact this whole thing smacks of lazy media and easy headlines.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 6th October 2008, 17:06

Oh, and the fucking Government legislated a 6% productivity drop by giving workers an extra weeks holiday. What did they think would happen? work smarter? bullshit. As a small business owner, I can tell you what happened: I had to pick up the slack while my staff enjoyed their extra weeks holiday.

Yay Helen! Go Helen!

nice work.

**The Stranger:Me** · 6th October 2008, 17:06

Does their measure of loss of productivity really translate at all into a loss of work ethics?
One person working in a gold mine may be more productive (according to their measure) than one preson working in a banana mine, though they may well be working just as hard and have similar work ethics.