Doesn't matter if it's public service or private sector. Long hours of work in administrative positions, for example, is stupid when for only a small period of time you are actually doing something. The technology is here, we are backtracking and keeping “working” hours high instead of lowering and making it more efficient. 20 hours and home office should be the norm and the disparity of wages should be lowered and minimum wage raised. Everyone should be able to have TIME for themselves/with their families.
Problems in mental health are rising – if there are workaholic people, that's just a fraction of the population – and even then there are jobs that one simply wouldnt have anything to do till the next demand.
Bottom line is: 4 commited hours a day is plenty to solve everything in the majority of administrative jobs (but not only) – and, of course, two people working can alternate their shifts so a department can always be “online” for untimely demands.
The regime of on-site work of 4 hours a day would significantly cut traffic issues. It would also improve family time (US and many other societies value this so much, but these people that can change work legislation don't really mean it) and our health in general (exercises, making our own food instead of eating fast/junk ones).
This is a simpleton text, ofc, so I apologize in advance if this rant doesn't make sense..