At what point do you refuse to work overtime? (employed, job, company)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I'm employed at a major US company, and am fortunate in many respects. I have a dream job that I love doing, am pleased with my salary, and live in a great part of the country. My issue is that I'm working a ton of (paid) overtime. It's voluntary but I keep volunteering for it because I enjoy what I do.
The issue that it's creating is that I don't spend enough time home with family. I have children and a spouse (who also works) at home, and I'm never around to see my kids grow up or spend time with family. I do my best to maximize the time that I do have, but it's never enough.
So, I'm torn being the opportunity to make good income at a job I love, or cut back my hours and spend more time with family. How does one balance their competing interests?
Nothing will tear a family apart quicker that being absent. That said, working is not an option, but working overtime is. You will never get those times back with your family. They will always be there. Your job, however, is not guaranteed.
How much overtime are we talking about? Just be thankful that you aren't on salary like I was back then when I did a lot of overtime, as much as 70 hours a week. I was pretty much paid for 40 hours and the other 30 hours, I worked for FREE.
Maybe you can do like 45-50 hours a week or two and than do your regular hours the next week or two.
Let's face it--having the opportunity to work paid overtime at a job you really enjoy is what most people would want. What I would suggest is that you pick a day or two that does not interfere with family time and work overtime only on those days. Maybe you could go in early. Working overtime may be an option, but probably your whole family has gotten used to the money that you are bringing home. So try cutting down on the hours and see how that goes. The most important thing is that you want your family to remember you spending time with them and not on the job. Money doesn't bring you memories, except for some nice vacations. You and your family will need to decide how to work this.
Get the money, your kids don't really want to see you anyhow. Think back when you were a kid, what you wanted was to be fed and then left to your own devices, right?
You'll do your family more good by providing for them than by spending time with them. Getting the money is your duty.
Why don't you sit down with your wife and discuss it with her rather than a bunch of strangers?
I'm sure the two of you can come up with the answer.
Koale
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,639 posts, read 81,333,263 times
Reputation: 57882
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irishtom29
Get the money, your kids don't really want to see you anyhow. Think back when you were a kid, what you wanted was to be fed and then left to your own devices, right?
You'll do your family more good by providing for them than by spending time with them. Getting the money is your duty.
That depends on the age, up to about 5 years old the kids do want (and need) to spend time with their parents. Be grateful you have a choice, many places are requiring mandatory overtime when it gets busy, instead of hiring more help.
You could speak to your manager about it, or just work the OT and enjoy the extra $. Be fortunate that you are paid overtime, as I am on salary and sometimes work 12-13 hours a day and don't get compensated for it.
I made about $25k in OT in 2012... then I got a different job with a nice pay increase (35%) and now I can take home close to the same money working 40-50 hours instead of 60-70 hours.
I definitely don't complain about extra OT money and never turn it down... but it's nice to have a life too.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
uhhh...
