This is pretty interesting. Did you feel overworked working 37.5 hours?
I spend more than 40 hours a week at work, but I actually work less than that whole time, because I have to wait for certain processes, or certain people, filling the gaps with activities like reading HN (as in right now).
That's really where the productivity gains of the next 20 years will be: free employees from the tyranny of workplace attendance, so that they will not resent these gaps and actually concentrate on end-product.
I worked remotely for 3 years in a high-profile company. Being remote helps control your time better. Coordinating anything with other people takes more effort, though, because you can't just walk around, see if somebody is busy, or out for a coffee, etc.
This is definitely solvable with technology, and will increasingly be solved.
There's also economy in employees providing their own computers, internet connectivity, and (most importantly) office space.
I've worked a variety of schedules in my time. When I'm doing around 30 hours a week - whether it was from 6 hour days or from 4 days a week - there is so much more time to get things done during the week. I no longer feel rushed in general. I sleep better and wind up eating better. I can plan doctor appointments outside of work hours. The difference isnt so much being overworked, but reasonably being able do do things in life.
The only time I really felt overworked was while working 4 ten-hour days every week. I had zero time and needed one day of relaxation to make up for it, so the day was wasted nonetheless. I'll aslo mention that slews of people aren't lucky enough to do anything but work-related things during work. This is especially true if doing a low-paying job, even if there is downtime. "If you have time to talk, you have time to clean". Looking busy enough to earn your keep is a major theme to many jobs.
The next best schedule was weirdly retail, though. Around 40 hours per week, but I usually only worked 2-3 days in a row before having a day off, plus I got every other weekend off. Downside was working holidays - it was a pharmacy, after all. It just wasn't as productive as having 30-hour workweeks.
When you are waiting for certain processes, you are in work. You are unavailable for other activities such as gardening, picking up the kids from school or meeting friends. Well strictly speaking anyway ... but even if you can wangle your way to these things you're still on the hook for work and if something comes up you have to respond. This is all billable time IMO.
Sometimes, but largely no, and I (mainly) enjoy my work too. But I now have a young family, and was feeling like I didn't have enough time for them or my side projects.
I spend more than 40 hours a week at work, but I actually work less than that whole time, because I have to wait for certain processes, or certain people, filling the gaps with activities like reading HN (as in right now).