How wrong am I for doing this

[Anonymous]

I have been at my NonProfit for 18 years. I rose through the ranks and managed dozens of employees for over 15 years. Pay was not great and I worked long hours for no OT since I was salaried. Great reviews year after year and met or exceeded all performance goals consistently. I would offer to help out whenever I could and was on several committees and chaired a few.

Well during the pandemic, I decided it was time to take a step back due to some family health reasons.

I transitioned to a new position where I no longer supervise and took a healthy pay cut to step back from management duties. I was just burnt out from it.
I like my new hourly position but it's not extremely difficult. I routinely take on other tasks or go above and beyond but I'm still no where near having 40 hours of work. So I don't actually work the hours in my time sheet. My boss works from home and I've spoken to her about their assignments I can take on but she has never given me anything more. a lot of times I work about 25 to 30 hours a week but I get paid for 40.

I just had my review and it was glowing and she noted several times. I went above and beyond and how I always meet deadlines and I'm very efficient and she really appreciates that she can rely on me.

During the down times I read a book. Sometimes I have an extended lunch. Other times I finish up a project from home but stay on the clock until my end time even though I have nothing to do. I already took a huge pay cut so I really don't want to switch to part-time and take an even bigger one.

A part of me feels bad about this, but another part feels like I gave way more than my fair share over the past 18 years. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

It's fine.

[Anonymous]

I agree, it’s fine.

[Anonymous]

Even though it's lying about HOURS worked?

[Anonymous]

I agree, it is fine. With your experience in the organization, you are more efficient/can complete a task faster than someone who hasn’t been there almost 20 years. They are happy with the work you are completing for the $ they are willing to pay…you are good.

[Anonymous]

If they are paying you for 40 and you’re working 30 then you’re stealing 10 hours pay from the company. Take the pay cut or find some more tasks to do.

[Anonymous]

Most jobs that are not service jobs are like that.

My friends that are VPs lunch more than they work.

[Anonymous]

It’s fine. You are still available if they need something during those hours even if you dont have anything to do. You have experience so likely just get the work done quicker than someone else in that role. Don’t overthink it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes, I'm super efficient and able to get tasks done pretty quickly because I know the ins and outs of every department.
I do consult with other managers of departments I used to run when asked.
I guess I just feel guilty because I used to barely have enough time in the week to get my tasks done as a manager, but now it feels like I have way more than enough time.....
I am always available during my working hours to help with anything that needs to be done. It's just there is usually nothing to be done in this role.

For those of you who think it is wrong, what do you suggest I do because I am already asking for more work. Unless I actually start doing managerial tasks again for departments I no longer run, I don't know what else there is to do.

[Anonymous]

It is fine. Everyone does this. As long as you are not filling in a timesheet demanding pay for overtime it is just indicative.

[Anonymous]

You are fine. Being paid for 40 hours means you have to be available for 40 hours - it doesn't mean that if you are efficient, or the org doesn't give you enough, that you owe it to them to refund the difference.

It sounds like they are grateful for your skills and expertise. Sounds like a great situation - except I feel like underlying your post, is maybe a sense of being a bit bored?

[Anonymous]

OP here.
Yeah definitely a bit bored. Luckily the health situation has leveled off...... but I have no desire to go back to the rat race and managerial at a non-profit. I was working upwards of 60 to 70 hours some weeks and it's not like the pay was amazing. Lol. But I Love our organization and the people I work with. That's why I'm so grateful for this position but definitely bored and now guilty since I am feeling well enough to do a full 40 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
Yeah definitely a bit bored. Luckily the health situation has leveled off...... but I have no desire to go back to the rat race and managerial at a non-profit. I was working upwards of 60 to 70 hours some weeks and it's not like the pay was amazing. Lol. But I Love our organization and the people I work with. That's why I'm so grateful for this position but definitely bored and now guilty since I am feeling well enough to do a full 40 hours.

There are worse things than being bored. Thank god for the internet...

[Anonymous]

Bored at work is not healthy though

[Anonymous]

At my current stage in life I’m jealous of you OP because I’d love to work 25-30 hours a week so I could see my young kids more. Before I had kids and I assume once they are older I would be bored working 30 hours a week. So I feel you. Maybe take up a hobby you could do while ‘working’?