Research generally indicates that people cope with working long hours by it taking an increasing hit on their mental health over time, and as hours and workload increase. Worsening physical health, despondency, feeling suicidal and shorter life expectancy are common reactions.

Wealthier people tend to be greedy sociopaths and have others do much of the more arduous and mundane work for them. They then present themselves as working long hours by contributing their delusional brilliance, by which they mean wielding power, money and control over a workforce with little autonomy.