Work-life balance: what does it mean to you?
You know, these days you hear a lot about “work-life balance.” It’s a bit of a buzz word that gets thrown around a lot.
I’ve heard it before but never really given a lot of thought to it. That is until this week.
Before this week my thoughts on work-life balance were that it was working less than 40 hours so that you could “have a life.” I thought it was more for people that had kids. You know, so that they could go to soccer games and school plays.
This week it has taken on a new meaning for me. Now, work-life balance means actually having time for life outside of work. It’s month end close at my work. I’ve worked in accounting for about 8 years so I am no stranger to month end close. Well, this company does it a little differently. Apparently EVERYONE has to stay until EVERYONE has finished their work for close. I have worked 11 hours every day this week so far so that I would not have to stay late tonight. That was because I was unaware of this little rule. Now I find that even though my work was done by 6pm I will be at work until after midnight. My girlfriend is home sick and I will be at work late because my co-workers are slow.
This is not work-life balance.
So, what does that mean for me? Well, because of my debt that I am trying to pay off I have to suck it up for now. For the future, it means when the debt is gone this will not be for me. I did not willingly sign up for this!
December 21st, 2007 at 1:48 pm
That is horrible! I am so sorry you have to stay late because of other people. That is not fair and there shouldn’t be a rule like that. But as they say, life is not fair. Who made that rule anyway? They should be shot.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Sounds to me like the rule is BS… I can’t believe they’re punishing those who finish early. If anything, your going home earlier because you worked longer and harder should be an incentive for others to pick up their butts and work harder too
December 23rd, 2007 at 3:41 pm
D’Rae - I’m not sure who made that rule, but I’m certain they are not staying late as well!
FB - I agree, instead it just motivates my co-workers to be extra slow because they know it means that someone else will do their work. Of course, they have no significant others or anyone else waiting at home for them so it’s no big deal to them if they are there all night long.