Post # 1
Member
830 posts
Busy bee
So I started a new job this week, and I LOVE it. However, I have noticed a pattern that some of my coworkers come in before 8, and leave well after 5 (around 6 or 6:30 sometimes even). I personally think this is an awful habit to get into, because once you start putting in 10+ hour days, it’s hard to stop, because your boss already expects that level of productivity. I commute about an hour each way to work, so perhaps that influences my decision (for example, most of my coworkers live about 5 minutes away, so if they stay until 6, and I leave at 5, we both get home at the same time), but even if I lived closer, I don’t think this would change. I lose energy after 8 hours, and I’m a firm believer that you must maintain a very strict work/life balance.
Do other bees work a lot of hours? Or are you out the door at 5? Or 4?
Post # 3
Member
786 posts
Busy bee
@QueenOfSerendip: Im living the dream working two jobs one is 60hrs a week, then when im done at that job, i have a hour to myself as, i drive to my second job working there between 20-30 hours a week…i hate my life…
Post # 4
Member
2417 posts
Buzzing bee
@QueenOfSerendip: I work two jobs like PP. One is a normal 40 hour work week and my schedule at my other job just got changed again. I work 7:30-4 at job number 1, then go straight to job number 2 and work 4:30-9 four nights per week plus 4 hours on alternating Saturdays. It makes for a very long work week, but I’m supporting myself without any help from my SO or parents.
Post # 5
Member
11265 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@QueenOfSerendip: it was not uncommon for me to work 70+ hours/week. i would often come home between 7-8, have dinner and then go into my home office and work until 12-1 prepping for the next day. i know, not a healthy balance but i was in a not so pleasant relationship and it was my only escape. not to mention, i had a personal goal to achieve.
when i met my dh, i did slow down and i am now retired.
Post # 6
Member
2684 posts
Sugar bee
I work in a start-up company so I’m used to long work weeks. On a less busy week, I can stick to 40 hours, but on a week like this in our busiest season I could easily put in 50-60+ hours. Since there’s so few of us at the office, we all have to be able to pitch in with different projects. Today, I have to cover customer service for someone who is out sick, write a marketing piece for an upcoming conference, order some materials for said conference, and host a couple of webinars for clients. I love my job and the company I work for, though, and working in a start-up is really fulfilling to me.
Post # 7
Member
3194 posts
Sugar bee
@QueenOfSerendip: I have two jobs right now, because I’m supporting Fiance and I while he studies for the Bar exam. I work 40 hours at my full time job, and between 12 and 15 hours at my part time job. So, somewhere between 52 and 55 hours every week. Yes, it blows ass. I’m excited for Fiance to start working so I can live like a real-live adult and quit working at a part time job. :p
Post # 8
Member
2490 posts
Buzzing bee
40. I’ve been in the 75+ hour week job before it wasn’t good for me at all.
I work 7-3:30 (1/2hr lunch), I get here around 6:50am and leave just after 3:30 usually.
Post # 9
Member
12244 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
DH starts work at 6, stops at 5, then gets a head start on the next day by working from 8 to 9 or 10.
I worked M-F, 8-5, with an hour commute each way.
And as long as you’re not falling behind in your work, I don’t see why you can’t leave on time!
Post # 10
Member
335 posts
Helper bee
I work at least 60 hours a week most of the year. I work in public accounting and ended up with too many clients, we’re working on fixing that now. My crazy workload did pay off though, I just got promoted to manager and it’s a year earlier than most thought would be possible when I started at this company (and definitely a year earlier than would have been possible at my old company).
However, there are “busy seasons” where the firm sets an expectation of a minimum of 50 chargeable hours a week, which is at least 55-60 actual hours.
Post # 11
Member
11735 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
My boss encourages to work no more than 40 hours per week. Of course, if we’ve got deadlines, we are all happy to work extra hours to get the job done, but it’s not all that frequently. We’re lucky in that respect. He also fully expects us to be on vacation when on vacation and not working. Having an employer who values the work/life balance has made my life so much better!
Most of my day is spent working with large data sets and writing code, so my brain is fried after 8 hours and I physically can’t do more work. It’s always amazing to me that if I’m struggling with something hard core at the end of the day, when I come back to it the next morning it takes me 2 seconds to figure it out. Fresh brain is good!
Post # 12
Member
1461 posts
Bumble bee
I work 40 hours a week 8:30 AM – 5 PM with a 30 minute lunch. Some of my co-workers stay late ALL the time. I stopped caring, if they don’t want to have work/life balance that’s there issue. The funny thing is, I get more done in my 8 hour day then some of my co-workers do when they are here 10 hours. Personally, I think they don’t have anything waiting for them at home…
Post # 13
Member
258 posts
Helper bee
I work from 7-5 every day although it is ok if I wanna show up at 7:30. sucks working in a office where yo still have to deal with customers cause as long as you are “open” you have to be there to deal withyour accounts.
Post # 14
Member
9123 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
- Wedding: August 2013 - Rocky Mountains USA
I work 40 hrs/week in the fall and winter, but often long weeks (50-70 hours) in the spring and summer – I’m a wildlife biologist. BUT, I get paid time and a half for anything over 40 hours, which is awesome!!!
Post # 15
Member
11735 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@Meant2Bee: I too find that I’m way more efficient in my 8 hour day then the people who stay late! They have to stay late to finish work because they spend the other half of their day chatting to each other or having personal phone conversations. I’d rather get in, get my work done and get out.
Post # 16
Member
3941 posts
Honey bee
I also work two jobs. I often work 55 hours at my M-F office job and about 10 additional hours at my second job on the weekends (photographer).
I hope to one day go full time with my photography because the almost 70 hour work weeks are going to be the death of me.