Are you an executive? [name]Do[/name] you work long hours? [name]How[/name] many hours do you work and do you think you work too long? Is your boss supportive of you or an overbearing bully?
From observation over the last 20 years it seems that executives are working longer and longer and their families are seeing less and less of them.
Are you happy in your profession or do you feel obliged to work long hours or be given your walking orders?
Is there a lot of stress in your working environment and if so how do you destress yourself?
Has having children made it harder to work longer hours or do you have a nanny?
Well, I’m probably not the best person to respond to this thread because I’m not an executive and I don’t have children (yet)! I’m a high school teacher and I’m expected to work roughly 40 hours per week. I’m starting a new job at the end of [name]July[/name]. I’ve never felt much pressure in my job because I’ve always been on short term contracts apart from my first two years of teaching. When you’re only at a school for a term or two, you don’t feel so pressured to put in any extra time! This is (in my opinion) why many schools are going downhill (in Australia). It’s impossible to get a permanent teaching position. They’re all taken up by teachers in their 50s and 60s who are yet to retire. So teachers jump from one contract to another and aren’t committed to the school or the students because they know they’ll be leaving before too long. If you’re a permanent teacher, you’ll be able to go back to your job after you’ve had children. Unfortunately, I don’t have a permanent position, so I’ll be unemployed once I start maternity leave. I’d have to do relief teaching, which would be difficult with children because you never know when you could be working and you’d have to organise a babysitter at the last minute.
Sorry, this post is a bit off track! I’ll answer part of your question - no, there’s not much stress in my working environment. I’m more stressed when I’m not working! I destress by reading, sewing, walking my dog or watching every single episode of [name]Black[/name] Books ([name]Bernard[/name] [name]Black[/name] makes me feel better about myself).
[name]Hi[/name] [name]Rollo[/name]… So I don’t think your questions are especially aimed at me since I’m not an executive - but I find them interesting so I’d like to answer anyway.
I’m an adjunct college professor - and adjunct is just a fancy way to say part-time. So in some ways it’s ideal: I teach my classes and go home. I can do all my prep at home and I’m basically left to my own devices. Very little oversight by any boss (generally only when a student complains) and basically no co-worker interaction. [name]One[/name] meeting a semester, at most. So it has a lot of great parts, especially for a mom.
BUT - and there’s always a but isn’t there??? I have zero protection in terms of employment rights. So since I’m due on 12/8 and the fall semester would run mid-[name]August[/name] to mid-[name]December[/name] - and I (obviously) can’t guarantee I can teach all the way until the end - they’ve refused to give me any more classes. And they have every legal right in the world to do it since I’m just part-time. Also: no benefits of any kind, no office, no sick days, no anything. And the pay is about as low as it gets, most of us make just enough to barely pass the Federal Poverty line, some of us make less (even though you generally have to have at least a Master’s degree, many have PhD’s). They don’t ask for our feedback or opinions on anything and we get very little training - but then when you do something wrong, you get in trouble for it.
Anyway, so it’s kind of great and kind of awful. The hours are wonderful… but now I’m pregnant and out of work because of it. BOO.
Like I said though, very interesting questions and I’m looking forward to the responses you get!
I’m a lawyer and I work about 40-45hours a week. I focus entirely on my job when I am in the office or travelling for work. So no lengthy coffee breaks and chats at the water cooler! I leave early on a Friday and if I need to work I do it after my kids are in bed. I work one late night a week and the other 4 nights I am home early to do dinner, bath and bedtime. If I have a big case on I’ll do the occasional weekend day in the office but this is really a push! My work are not great but its my family and nothing is more important! I have family help and would love to go part time in the next few years.
I agree that I am being pressed to do longer hours and more travel. Whilst it has not affected my promotion prospects so far I think it will prevent me reaching the top despite being good at my job.
Should also say my job is very stressful at times. I try and ensure I eat well, exercise ( easier said than done!) and get enough sleep (again easier said than done if stressed). Our dog died recently but I really found walking the dog a stress relief!
I love my job but its not great with kids
Currently work in a PR agency, 8.30-till drop 5 days a week (sometimes weekend if we have event(s)). Can’t go home until your job is done so I can’t mention hours per week as it is so versatile. They are harder on us (young and single ones) though.
Realistically, between 80 and 90 hours a week. Into the hospital around 5, roughly (ranges from 4 to 6) and home around 7-8, roughly (definitely ranges if pt has complications, emergencies, etc). Overnight call every 3rd to 4th night. Weekends, holidays, the works.
[name]Zero[/name] accommodations are made for children.
I would say surgery is high-stress. If you aren’t decisive, take-charge, and comfortable with high-stakes decision-making and very acute situations including frequent death, you choose something else.
I’m not an executive - more ‘middle management’… My job title is ‘Team Leader’ so i’m in charge of a team of 8 people in a very high-pressure environment… I get paid a salary for 8.30-5 [name]Monday[/name]-Friday, but my commute is 45 minutes each way so i leave home at about 7.15am and don’t get home until about 6.15pm (ish). I work probably another 5 or so hours a week (sometimes more) over and above my rostered hours as well.
I try to leave on time as often as i can, but if there’s still things that have to be done by a deadline then I have to stay until those things are done. It’s hard, and i’m really glad i’ve got an amazing support network for when I go back to work after bub arrives.
I own my own business. I’m relatively new in practice and still building a client base, so I’m really never NOT working. If I’m not actually seeing clients in the office, then I’m doing paperwork and billing, or I’m networking, or I’m thinking about marketing and promotion.
I am rather laid back in the office and while my daughter is with a sitter 2 days per week, she’s often in the office with me (it helps that my husband is a contractor and has his office in my upper level, so she can go to him if I’m busy). To me, it’s not really any different than other kids that grew up behind the counter of restaurants, shops, etc while their parents work. She has small jobs around the office (like small cleaning jobs) and none of my clients mind her. Many have said they appreciate seeing that I practice what I preach and have a healthy, happy child. When I have the new baby, I fully intend to have him in the office with me full time when I return to a full schedule.
Owning a business is hard freakin’ work, but it does have its perks.
