Does Michigan Really Have the Laziest Workforce? Study Says Yes

Look to your left, look to your right. Did you spot a coworker you’d consider “lazy?” Michigan residents may not love the label, but a new study says the state has the laziest workforce in the country. The Great Lakes State landed dead last among all 50 states.

Michigan Ranked Last in New Workforce Study

The ranking comes from WalletHub’s annual “Hardest-Working States in America” report, which considers factors like average workweek hours, employment rates, vacation time left unused, and the share of people holding multiple jobs. Michigan scored poorly across the board, while states like North Dakota and Alaska led the pack.

Michigan’s Midwest Neighbors Didn’t Rank Much Better

Michigan wasn’t alone in struggling — several Midwest neighbors also ranked low. Ohio came in at No. 45, Indiana landed at No. 43, and Wisconsin placed No. 40. By contrast, North Dakota, Alaska, and South Dakota were among the hardest-working states, according to the study.

How the Hardest-Working States Were Determined

In total, WalletHub examined more than a dozen factors, including volunteer hours, commute times, and how many employees leave vacation days unused. Each metric was weighted to create the overall ranking, which placed Michigan firmly at the bottom.

Laziness or Balance? Depends Who You Ask

Of course, not everyone sees fewer hours and unused vacation as signs of laziness. Some argue it reflects a cultural shift toward valuing work-life balance.

It may explain why road construction season in Michigan never ends.