Work-life balance

[Zoob]

I know private sector very different from public sector, but I'm working 60-75 hour weeks much, much too often, and many of my colleagues are in a similar position.This is definitely worse than the 55-60 hour weeks that were common in the last couple years.

 

Senior management acknowledge the long hours in passing, but don't actually do anything about it (since hiring more people would impact on profits.). In fact the day after one of the most senior people in my org mentioned the long hours we're working and how they're going to be hiring in the new year, 2 people on my team were made redundant. They weren't the most fantastic people in terms of productivity, but when we're already drowning, their limited help was better than them not being around at all...

 

I've worked 25+ straight days (Sunday 12th October was the last work free day I had) , and I'm getting to the point where I'm close to breaking point... I'd love to quit my job, but I'm the only earner in my family and have 3 kids to support...

 

I understand this is all part of the wonderful world of capitalism, but are things getting worse for anyone else? is it as bad in the UK as it is here in the US?

[kop205]

I know private sector very different from public sector

 

In what way?

[Swan Red]

I'd hope public sector unions would protect their members from doing those type of hours.

 

That sucks Zoob, you are being asked to do too much and it's pretty shortsighted to risk burning out your staff. I understand your commitments but I'd certainly be looking for something else.

[RBM]

Are you being paid for the extra hours? I'm not using that as any justification, I just find it extraordinary that this is something that is allowed to continue with the effects on performance it has in the medium and long term, the detriment to morale it has etc.

[muleskinner]

I know private sector very different from public sector, but I'm working 60-75 hour weeks much, much too often, and many of my colleagues are in a similar position.This is definitely worse than the 55-60 hour weeks that were common in the last couple years.

 

Senior management acknowledge the long hours in passing, but don't actually do anything about it (since hiring more people would impact on profits.). In fact the day after one of the most senior people in my org mentioned the long hours we're working and how they're going to be hiring in the new year, 2 people on my team were made redundant. They weren't the most fantastic people in terms of productivity, but when we're already drowning, their limited help was better than them not being around at all...

 

I've worked 25+ straight days (Sunday 12th October was the last work free day I had) , and I'm getting to the point where I'm close to breaking point... I'd love to quit my job, but I'm the only earner in my family and have 3 kids to support...

 

I understand this is all part of the wonderful world of capitalism, but are things getting worse for anyone else? is it as bad in the UK as it is here in the US?

Sounds ridiculously unsustainable and short sighted by the management. I work in a team of 4 that has a 'headcount' of 6, our line manager is one of the 4 but is being increasingly drawn away from the more day to day aspect of the job, my 2 other colleagues have just applied for voluntary redundancy. Fun times ahead.

[Tosh]

It's incredibly short term and I'd guess the bosses are thinking "if this lot get pissed off and leave, there's others out there looking for work"

Doesn't make it right - or even sensible. And clearly sucks for Zoob and his mates

 

Mind you, this is the country where a 90 year old has been arrested for feeding a homeless man in Florida.

[Jiggy Hates Jazz]

You're not alone Zoob - Been working 60-65 hour weeks for a long time now.

 

To be honest, having seen my parents (and lots of other people) work those sorts of hours in a much more demanding environment (i.e. not in an office enviorment) for much less money, I still feel privileged. My biggest gripes are (a) that I rarely see my kids on weekdays and, if I do, it's for 10-15 mins before they go to bed and (b) that despite spending so much time working, I sometimes feel guilty when chased for stuff that is overdue but the root cause for that is not that I'm not productive / efficient enough, it's that we're not resourced appropriately.

Edited November 7, 2014 by Jiggy Hates Jazz

[cymrococh]

Bizarrely, this article was on the front page of The Guardian site.

[D.Boon]

If the Tories and the CBI get their way, this will be the norm b the UK soon.

[Falconhoof]

If the Tories and the CBI get their way, this will be the norm b the UK soon.

 

And UKIP would have us out of the Working Time Directive.

[£440,000]

Podemos, the new party that's topping the polls here in Spain, is promising a maximum 35-hour working week and retirement at 60.

 

Both sound good to me and with unemployment at almost 1 in 4 (1 in 3 where I live,) it possibly makes sense.

[sean]

Some lad at ours was warned formally as he was working too many hours. Nobody should work those type of hours, it's actually counter-productive in terms of net output.

[RBM]

Some lad at ours was warned formally as he was working too many hours. Nobody should work those type of hours, it's actually counter-productive in terms of net output.

 

Seems harsh. Had anybody spoken to him about it before the warning?

[Stanley Leisure]

When I'm on production, I'm routinely doing 12-14 hour days, working weekends etc. It should balance out with the down time, which is normally very routine, but if we're doing our jobs properly, we should be in production more often than not.

 

I'm just coming to the end of a very busy few months and i feel like s**** but at least I know I will have a relatively quiet period, I don't think I could cope with a job that was that intense, that consistently.

 

It's not unknown in TV for staff on productions to sign wavers about normal working hours. A friend of mine worked on a show (a really s*** one, at that) where HR had to intervene because the producers were pushing the team too hard. Madness.

[D.Boon]

And UKIP would have us out of the Working Time Directive.

 

The WTD is easy to get around anyway, just have to be persuaded to sign out of it.

 

It's not unknown in TV for staff on productions to sign wavers about normal working hours. A friend of mine worked on a show (a really s*** one, at that) where HR had to intervene because the producers were pushing the team too hard. Madness.

 

 

Any of you or your pals members of BECTU, if so are they any less useless with broadcasting?

[cymrococh]

It's all about company culture I've found.

 

Luckily I'm in a company now where the doors are locked at 5.30 and it's the same in other offices I've visited abroad.

 

If we need to, we can work from home, but it is never assumed to be necessary.

[Lou]

I understand this is all part of the wonderful world of capitalism, but are things getting worse for anyone else? is it as bad in the UK as it is here in the US?

I was recently made redundant after 7 years with the same company and I've observed a significant difference in ermployment terms since I last looked for work.

Back in 2007, most jobs I chased offered 25 days holiday and a 37.5 hour working week. This time round it's been more common to see 20 days holiday and a 40 hour working week. What's worse is that the salaries have not increased since 2007 and in most cases have gone down.

Over the years I've also noticed a difference in the company culture. When I started work (in IT in the early 1980s), it was accepted that there'd be occasions when things had not gone to plan and we'd have to do some extra if it looked like a deadline was going to missed. These days it seems that many managers take a dim view if you just work your contracted hours.

[Stanley Leisure]

The WTD is easy to get around anyway, just have to be persuaded to sign out of it.

 

 

 

 

Any of you or your pals members of BECTU, if so are they any less useless with broadcasting?

 

BECTU's presence in TV is virtually non-existent. In production, anyway. I've never worked with anyone who knows what their purpose or influence is.

[Moose]

I just cannot imagine working a 60+ hour week, I'm not sure I'd last a month doing those sort of hours.

 

At the moment I work a 37.5 hour week, occasionally I might have to stay longer if there is a support issue but my managers are happy to give time in lieu should it be anything significant. Our company was acquired last month by a significantly larger one and the word is that their employees only get 20 days a year holiday, given that most of us have a least 25 days I'm not sure if they can legally reduce this or not.

[D.Boon]

BECTU's presence in TV is virtually non-existent. In production, anyway. I've never worked with anyone who knows what their purpose or influence is.

 

Thought that may be the case. Used to be a strong union but is fast becoming irrelevant across the whole entertainment/broadcasting industry.

[Cobs]

this all sounds like constructive dismissal to me

[jimbolala]

About 5 years ago I was doing the same sort of hours and didn't really think much about it. Everyone else was noticing how tired I was, how irritable I had become etc but I was aiming high and want to succeed.

Now I am fighting to make it into work, promotions are gone and all I have for my hard work and dedication is M.E.

No one will look after your family but you, nor will they think any better of you for doing those hours.there aren't any skeletons running about, so no one is gonna starve.

Take your time with your family,they miss you no doubt. At least you recognise the signals, stop now before you lose your health and miss your kids growing up.I really wish I had of stopped before I broke. I now walk with the aid of a stick, when I can walk. I can't read anything substantial and have yo attend hospital several times a month. It's only a job, get home and hug the family

[muleskinner]

well said jimbolala. its easy to forget amongst all the bill paying and everyday pressures.

[Swan Red]

Yeah well said Jim we do well to remember what matters most.

[magic melia]

After reading this I don't think I'll moan about my 35 hour 4 day working week.