[USER]

Here is another sober reminder why you should never sacrifice your time, health, family and well—being for your job.

I had a conversation with my manager this afternoon about several of my projects.

She mentioned to me one particular project that was delayed for 3 months due to multiple reasons, all of which she knew about.

The delay was due to one of the team players who had to go on FMLA for a month and her instruction to me to ficus on my other projects that were of higher priority.

Due to the C suite people expressing their unhappiness due to the delays, we had to add the project back on my priority list and I was suddenly told to finish the project’s milestone within a week.

In order to do so, I ended up working until 10 p.m. for 2 straight days.

I brought up my concern that I can’t keep working late nights to finish changes in my project priorities(this has become mire and more frequent).

She responded by telling me “I already told you several times that you shouldn’t be working late.”

I responded by letting her know that I don’t want to work late but with my heavy workload, it’s the only way I can get things done.

Then she let me know that if I got sick because of work, my employer doesn’t want to be responsible for it.

What would you have said in response to this? Has anyone encountered the same dilemma?

How do you continue to deliver timely, quality work when you have been given an unusually heavy workload and do it without working overtime? (My job doesn’t pay for overtime).

I’m starting to feel like I’ve been bending backwards for my employer and they don’t really care about me.

[Carol]

I’d stop working late. They have said they don’t want to deal with you getting sick and you shouldn’t be working late.

Malicious compliance is effective.

[Paul]

Honestly, two days of working late to get something the C-suite is anxious about back on track isn’t really much.

Maybe there’s much more.
If it’s really just two very long days to make up for a team member being on FMLA for a month, I wouldn’t be making a big deal out of it.

I suspect this might be the reason you’re getting some push back.

[Peg]

They told you to stop working late so I would stop. For one thing, it sets unrealistic expectations; if you work late to get this done then they will expect that kind of turnaround on every project and you will find yourself always working late.

Health concerns are another factor.

If you’re not getting OT, don’t do this to yourself.

[Aaron]

When I worked in a corporate environment they said all
The stuff about “being a family “ and such and “caring about the employees “ but the roles were objectives based and performance based so we learned that they expected us to do whatever was necessary in terms of hours and such to hit the targets even if they said they wanted us to have work life balance and such..

So, my view is they want you to work the extra hours but they don’t want to feel like your creating a dynamic to sue or attack then because of that..

My suggestion is basically determine if based on what they are doing you want to work there or not and if so fit in and play the corporate game.

If not then look for a different job. In my case it was worthwhile to figure out what they wanted and just do that because it helped me hit my goals.

If you don’t feel the compensation merits this type of work load or it’s beyond what’s standard in the industry might be good to begin job search..

Personally I think it’s fine if a company wants people who will work wild hours and grind all the time and such.

I just find it annoying they often aren’t up front about that in the interviews and such.

[Sarah]

I realized that my work is never done – if I happen to intrinsically be motivated to do something I open my computer early in the morning but night is for my kids and husband and me.

It’s a weird battle.

Sometimes I nonchalantly make mention that only so much can happen in 8 hours.

[Beck]

Is this a one time thing, or does this happen constantly? If it’s ongoing, then sit down with your manager, explain your workload and hours in a day and ask for her to prioritize the projects within the hours she wants you to work.

If this is something that is infrequent and you’re helping out because someone else was sick and couldn’t, then I would buckle down and get the project done.

[Jaime]

I’m sorry you’re facing this. Hugs to you. It’s a lot.
As far as her saying she doesn’t want to be responsible for you being sick, that’s true.

It seems cold, but if she’s telling you not to work late, don’t.

Do a little research then check with HR about what is legal regarding overtime in light of the labor law updates in April 2024 (FLSA).

Second, make sure you are using your work time efficiently as possible (I’m sure you already are), then give it your best and work until a reasonable time and go home and get rest.

Third, Keep your boss updated regularly (possibly daily) on everything you are accomplishing.

Fourth, Ask for support and consider how that might look and offer recommendations.

“I’m doing XYZ. Would it be possible to get temporary support for ABC?”

I have no idea what you do, but it might look like a transfer of some of your daily responsibilities to another person or department or a temporary assistant for research, filing, data entry, proof read, take messages, running, etc.

Break down tasks and determine if there are even parts of it you could delegate to alleviate your load.

[Dave]

You have bad management. They either don’t recognize or don’t care about your workload. Both are bad.

Do what you can in reasonable work hours and move on

[Alice]

You’re being set up to fail and caught between the reality and the C-suite expectations, it sounds like.

It’s humanly impossible to do the work they want in the time they’ve allotted and it’s on them, but of course they’ll try to lay it on you.

A calm conversation with the manager laying it right back on their lap and as much documentation as you can about that sounds like the thing to do next.

If you haven’t, check out the website Ask A Manager.

It might have this as a topic, but it’s also kinda entertaining too.

[Ana]

Document and stop working late. Get an email thread going asking how your manager wants you to prioritize your work load within your working hours.

Unfortunately, employers don’t care and somehow they respect those who set boundaries

[Author]

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