Rethinking Nine to Five: A Social and Psychological Reframe of the Standard Workday

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional work models, revealing long-standing issues with the standard eight-hour workday and its disconnect from human cognition, equity, and modern labor demands. This chapter traces the historical origins of the nine-to-five structure and situates it within broader cultural narratives about productivity, identity, and control. Blending narrative, organizational psychology, and social critique, Rethinking Nine to Five questions what we lose — individually and collectively — by measuring our value in hours. Drawing on research in psychological safety, autonomy, and creativity, this opening chapter lays the foundation for a more sustainable and humane approach to work that honors both productivity and well-being.