There has been a lot of talk about our workloads. God knows they are becoming too much. A lot of people say that we should just do 40 hours and go home. To be perfectly honest, if I did that a lot of my work wouldn’t get done.
But what actually happens when someone does that? Has anybody actually tried to behave this way? If so, what are the consequences? Are you labeled a slacker, do you get a different treatment from your manager, do you become a primary layoff candidate? Any experiences?
6 replies (most recent on top)
Hard workers are just rewarded with more work. Work your 40 hours and enjoy your life.
I know on the team I’m on, if you don’t work over 40 hrs (unpaid of course) then you’re considered a slacker and lazy. Lunches are even frowned upon if you can believe it. Needless to say I am interviewing and will be leaving as soon as I post out. I am getting interviews for WFH jobs that pay 25% more.
I love this idea and have a different mindset now than I used to because I’ve learned the hard way through burnout. I refuse to work over 40 hours a week due to less opportunities for development, less resources, less recognition and less wfh flexibility. I think we should all operate this way as long as we’re not getting what we want and need out of our job.
I know many over my 10+ years who never worked more than 30 hours and still get paid for 40...
Nothing will happen. The sky will stay in place, you will get paid the same and the work will be there tomorrow. Someone labels you for or judges you, oh well!
The one thing you should realize is that your work is never "done" and won't ever be done. Rest assured, when you leave for the day, and come back tomorrow, whatever you left will still be there waiting for you. You know how, sometimes, you are desperately trying to wrap something up for someone, yet you're waiting on someone else... but they're not available, and Oh, now they've left for the day, and it will be tomorrow?
That's because they did their time and went home. You wanted to know what happens? That's what happens. People have lives outside of the office, and they live them.