Up in the corner offices, there's a growing recognition that unrealistic demands on time are destroying the souls of… executives. "Always-on, multitasking work environments are killing productivity, dampening creativity, and making us unhappy," notes a recent article in McKinsey Quarterly, the research publication of the giant global consulting firm that has been corporate America's chief efficiency cheerleader. "These scourges hit CEOs and their colleagues in the C-suite particularly hard." McKinsey's advice to beleaguered execs? Do one thing at a time; delegate; take more breaks.

Just try telling that to the millions of people whose work has been downsized, offshored, and sped up thanks to McKinsey.

—You've been [...]

In this glorious 3rd quarter of the year, something rather amazing has happened. Overall, companies reported that "worker productivity" was up by 9.5% while actual hours worked was down 5%. This means exactly what you think it means. Mostly it means that there is no reason for companies to do any hiring. Why? Because they are doing just fine without you.