Are US mortgage professionals working too hard?

With additional reporting by Bryony Garlick

In an industry defined by tight deadlines, shifting rates, and constant client contact, America’s mortgage professionals are spending more time at work than ever — and taking fewer breaks to recover.

And the data seems to show that in America, we really don’t take time off when maybe we should. A recent survey by FlexJobs found that almost a quarter of US workers — 23%— took no vacation at all this year, despite most having paid time off available. The findings suggest a broader problem across sectors, but for mortgage brokers the long-hour culture is particularly entrenched.

Long hours, short breaks

Mortgage professionals often handle complex loan pipelines that demand continuous oversight. The FlexJobs data showed that 43% of employees said their workload was too heavy to justify a break, while 30% feared falling behind. The sense of responsibility to clients and colleagues keeps many tied to their desks, even when they are officially entitled to time away.

Cultural pressure also plays a role. Nearly one-third of workers reported feeling guilty about taking time off or worried they would appear less committed. In smaller brokerages and independent offices, the absence of cover makes taking a week off even harder.

Andy Harris, president of Vantage Mortgage Group, offered a candid perspective on industry expectations – and said while some extra work is needed, an organized mortgage professional should be able to handle the effort.

“There is certainly pressure, and it’s a requirement for a mortgage originator to be available after hours or on weekends,” he told Mortgage Professional America. “Please make no mistake – any that are not available to update numbers or preapproval letters for active buyers will lose business and fail at their jobs.

“This is one thing everyone must understand if they get into this line of work. You do not need to work long hours on the weekend or after hours, but a quick update on questions, numbers on a home, and indeed preapproval letters for active buyers during the weekend are required.”

The good news for mortgage pros? “With technology and access, this doesn’t take long when needed,” Harris said. “If you’re on vacation, delegate. Otherwise, it’s in the job description, and you have to be available. On vacation, you must delegate and take time for yourself, so someone must be available to your clients.”

The cost of overwork

The effects of overwork are not limited to fatigue. Studies link excessive hours and insufficient rest to higher stress, lower morale and a rise in compliance mistakes. For mortgage professionals, who manage sensitive financial data and regulatory requirements, those risks carry real consequences.

Employers that make time off a structural priority tend to see better long-term productivity. Clear scheduling, workload sharing and predictable downtime all help staff recharge without fear of backlog. Some brokerages are experimenting with fixed vacation windows or shorter workweeks to keep teams focused and reduce burnout.

But Harris addressed the culture of performance within the industry. “It’s time originators are held accountable for prima donna demands while underperforming, incompetent, and overpaid for wanting to do nothing and delegate or blame it on others – the bad ones, which is most,” he said.

“I say this as an originator myself. We have eight originators closing what 50 to 100 are elsewhere, due to this philosophy of excellence. Fewer humans, more quality production – and they’re all high producers.”

Finding balance

With mortgage activity closely tied to market cycles, workload peaks are unavoidable. Yet the industry’s challenge is to make recovery a regular part of that rhythm. As the data show, American professionals already work among the longest hours in the developed world. Ensuring they can take meaningful rest may be the next competitive advantage.

Global comparison

Across the industrialised world, the United States stands out for its long working hours and minimal public holidays. The average US worker logs about 1,791 hours a year, while peers in Germany average roughly 1,340 and those in France around 1,500. The US also offers between six and 11 national public holidays, one of the lowest totals globally.

By contrast, countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands maintain high productivity with shorter working years and more paid holidays. The contrast suggests that efficiency and output do not necessarily depend on long hours — a lesson that could apply to financial services and mortgage lending alike.

The chart below compares average annual working hours and the number of national public holidays across 37 representative countries. The United States appears near the top for total hours and near the bottom for official holidays, illustrating the imbalance many American workers — including those in mortgage lending — continue to face.