Why WalletHub’s “Hardest-Working States” Rankings Are Complete Junk
Once again, WalletHub has ranked West Virginia near the bottom of its "Hardest-Working States" list, continuing a trend that unfairly stigmatizes the state. This ranking is not just misleading; it’s damaging, perpetuating harmful stereotypes that ignore the reality of hard work in West Virginia. Let's break down why these metrics are flawed and why this narrative needs to change.
The Flaws in WalletHub’s Metrics
WalletHub’s ranking system is based on ten key indicators, including average workweek hours, the share of workers with multiple jobs, and the average leisure time spent per day. These metrics might seem like reasonable measures of hard work, but they fail to capture the complexities of work and life in different states.
Average Workweek Hours: Quantity Over Quality?
One of the primary metrics WalletHub uses is average workweek hours—a classic case of mistaking quantity for quality. The assumption here is that longer hours equate to harder work. However, research shows that productivity doesn't necessarily increase with longer hours; in fact, it often declines due to burnout and fatigue. A study by Stanford University found that productivity drops sharply after 50 hours per week, with virtually no output after 55 hours. This suggests that states with shorter workweeks might have workers who are more efficient, focused, and effective, yet WalletHub’s metric disregards this nuance.
Multiple Jobs: A Sign of Hard Work or Economic Struggle?
WalletHub also considers the share of workers with multiple jobs as an indicator of hard work. However, this metric is less a reflection of a strong work ethic and more a symptom of economic conditions that force people to take on extra work to make ends meet. According to NIH, individuals often hold multiple jobs due to financial necessity rather than a desire to work harder, and it is linked to depression. Celebrating this as a virtue is not only misleading but also deeply problematic, as it highlights economic disparities rather than genuine work ethic.
Employee Engagement: A Subjective and Misleading Metric
Employee engagement is another problematic metric. Engagement is often measured through self-reported surveys asking how “involved” or “committed” employees feel to their work. However, this is highly subjective and can be influenced by factors unrelated to actual work ethic, such as management quality or job satisfaction. Gallup, which frequently measures employee engagement, notes that engagement levels are more reflective of management practices than of workers’ intrinsic motivation. Therefore, using this as a measure of hard work is not only flawed but absurd.
The Damaging Impact of These Rankings
West Virginia’s repeated low rankings in WalletHub’s report do more than just misrepresent the state—they actively harm it. These rankings reinforce negative stereotypes that suggest West Virginians are lazy or unmotivated, which couldn’t be further from the truth. This kind of portrayal can deter investment, reduce tourism, and negatively impact the overall perception of the state, both from within and from outside.
West Virginia has a long history of hard work, especially in physically demanding industries like coal mining and manufacturing. These jobs often involve long hours of tough, manual labor that might not reflect well in metrics like “average workweek hours” but are undoubtedly rigorous. Moreover, the state’s strong sense of community and family often prioritizes work-life balance over endless work hours. This isn’t laziness—it’s a different set of values that emphasize a balanced life.
Conclusion: Time to Challenge These Narratives
WalletHub’s metrics are not just flawed; they’re harmful. They perpetuate a narrow and inaccurate view of what it means to work hard, particularly in states like West Virginia. It’s time to challenge these rankings and demand a more nuanced understanding of the diverse ways Americans contribute to their communities and economies.
Metrics can be useful, but they’re not the whole story. When it comes to West Virginia, the real story is one of resilience, hard work, and a commitment to community—values that can’t be captured by a few misleading numbers on a ranking chart. WalletHub and others need to recognize this and stop contributing to narratives that do more harm than good.
Sources:
Stanford University on Productivity: Crunch Mode: programming to the extreme - The Relationship Between Hours Worked and Productivity (stanford.edu)
NIH on Multiple Jobholding: Multiple Job Holding and Mental Health Among Low-income Mothers - PMC (nih.gov)
Gallup on Employee Engagement: Employee Engagement | Gallup Topic