Work day duration dynamics in the post-soviet era

Based on data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE), analysis is conducted of the basic tendencies that outline changes in the duration of the work day in post-Soviet Russia (1994–2021). It was revealed that if in the 1990s every third worker stayed within the established limit for working hours, in 2021 only every fifth, while everyone else was constantly forced to work extra hours. At the same time, with an increase in the duration of paid work, there was a noticeable reduction in the time spent traveling to and from work, as well as the share of these costs in the total amount of working time. A noticeable differentiation of workers by level of workload has been revealed, which in turn becomes one of the compelling reasons for the growth of differentiation in wages. Analyzing the current situation in the economy, the authors predict the preservation of high rates of working hours in the near future, which increases the threat of emotional exhaustion and physical fatigue of workers.