👉 The Butler Effect, also known as the Butler-Lewin Theory of Work Schedules, is a concept in industrial and organizational psychology that describes the decline in productivity and performance that occurs when employees work longer shifts without adequate rest. Proposed by William A. Butler and later expanded by Kurt Lewin, this theory suggests that after an initial increase in productivity with longer hours, there is a steady decline as fatigue sets in. The effect is often visualized with a bell curve, where productivity peaks at moderate shifts and then drops sharply beyond a certain point. This phenomenon highlights the importance of balancing work hours to maintain optimal performance and employee well-being.
