The Song Fight Bulletin Board

Happy Bob Rooney Day, everyone!

Today is Thursday. In my current work schedule, my days off are Friday and Saturday, so today is my "Friday," so to speak. I suppose it's nice to have a weekday to myself, but it's frustrating to have to clock in on a Sunday.

Question of the Day: What's your work schedule like? How does it affect your life?

I work 6 days a week, generally, and then have to file paperwork on my day off (usually because I'm too worn out to do it the rest of the week). I've been doing social work now for a little over a year, and it's been very rewarding in a lot of ways, but it is pretty taxing to feel like I never REALLY have a day off. Not to mention my girlfriend is usually asleep when I get home every day because she has be at work at 5am. So yeah, actually now that I type this out I think maybe I need to make a change.

For the first time in over 6 months I am working M-F 9-6ish. Tonight I'm attending the Spring Gala at Lincoln Center, a big black tie affair (sort of) and the kind of thing I'll have to do in addition to the office hours.

Tubba Gutz wrote:I work 6 days a week, generally, and then have to file paperwork on my day off (usually because I'm too worn out to do it the rest of the week). I've been doing social work now for a little over a year, and it's been very rewarding in a lot of ways, but it is pretty taxing to feel like I never REALLY have a day off. Not to mention my girlfriend is usually asleep when I get home every day because she has be at work at 5am. So yeah, actually now that I type this out I think maybe I need to make a change.

Didn't mean to be a downer.

One of the things I look for in the job is that it doesn't follow me home. I work about 40-44 hours a week, and when I'm home I don't have to think about it. My wife works three jobs, one temp and the other two part-time, so she puts in ridiculous hours and makes way less than I do. It can be frustrating sometimes.

I often feel like people in this country whose work is the most valuable—like teachers, social workers, medical staff—are given the the most work with the least commensurate pay. It's a really crappy situation, and I hope you can find a compromise to make it better.

Last October I left the Public Service for a private engineering company. It's great. I generally work M-F 9-5 - but I don't have to if I don't want to. As long as I do my work, I can do it when and where I want.

The only time constraint is travel - because I often have to travel around outback QLD, which is a big place and involves a lot of driving. But I get to listen to a lot of audiobooks and podcasts while doing it - so that is cool too.

Generic wrote:Didn't mean to be a downer.

One of the things I look for in the job is that it doesn't follow me home. I work about 40-44 hours a week, and when I'm home I don't have to think about it. My wife works three jobs, one temp and the other two part-time, so she puts in ridiculous hours and makes way less than I do. It can be frustrating sometimes.

I often feel like people in this country whose work is the most valuable—like teachers, social workers, medical staff—are given the the most work with the least commensurate pay. It's a really crappy situation, and I hope you can find a compromise to make it better.

Not a downer at all! It's just something that's been on my mind, and if I end up wanting to change that I feel totally free to do so. I do think that the hardest part about my job is the idea of "taking it home," because it feels like I constantly have to be thinking about it and trying to make new plans, on the phone with co-workers and families a lot, not to mention there is always a chance of me getting called in which adds an extra level of stuff to worry about. But I've learned the power to say "no, I can't do that," which helps a lot. I'm also making more money than I ever did at any other job so that helps as well.

I work about 9-6 M-F with alternate Fridays off. That extra day off can be a godsend. My job has recently become much more mentally taxing and having a three day weekend to look forward every two weeks helps a lot.

Generic wrote:I often feel like people in this country whose work is the most valuable—like teachers, social workers, medical staff—are given the the most work with the least commensurate pay.

This may sound strange, but I'm happy it's like this.
1. It attracts people that are genuinely interested in helping people.
2. Money changes people quite often. I believe it's better to remain humble.
3. If you are the type of person that is most happy when you can help people and make a difference, why ruin that wonderful trait with money?

I've never met a teacher or nurse that is not living a comfortable lifestyle. They're not driving expensive cars nor living in a mansion, but they have the things they want and generally seem quite content.

As far as my work life. I own my company, so I pretty much just do what I want. It's 9:41 here in Cali right now. I'm sitting here only wearing a pair of Billabong shorts, eating a plate of fresh fruit with strawberry yogurt on it and typing this braggy sounding (not intentionally, I just like my life) post. I have a few appointments later with customers and need to pick up the days deposits and get them to the bank before 4:00pm. My biggest concern on the daily is making sure I generate new business/cash flow and make sure payroll is met. After I hit my numbers for the month, I can RELAX relax. For instance, this month started with a bang and it's only the 9th and we're booked. In February I didn't hit my numbers until the 27th and I was mildly panicked all month that I'd have to dip into my WC, which would throw off the interest drawing numbers that are projected and thus changing how much I bonus myself. First world problems.

M-F 10ish to 6ish although the hours are flexible and all that matters is I get my work done (and be present for core meetings). I average around 40 hours a week and while I have occasional on-call duty I've never been paged, so I can't complain too much.

M-Th 930ish to 6ish, part time. I spend Fridays at home with my kids and love that. Although I do usually spend some time on Fridays doing work email.
-bill

I work Tuesday thru Saturday and have Sunday-Monday off. It's been that way for several months straight now. I like it. I still get most of the weekend as I get off at 3 pm on Saturday. Plus I get Monday off to relax and do what I want before Raw starts at 7 ^_^.

My job is complicated - M-F 10-6 with one month M-F 8-10, and on-call 24-7-365. 2-3 evening events a month. 40-50 days holiday a year, though 25 of those are at fixed times. And obviously "on-call" during those days as well. Pay is good for the industry and I get perks like business travel and a free phone for personal calls etc but I can never quite work out whether I'm on a good thing or not.

j$