Anyone Work Only During Business Hours?

[Anonymous]

I'm curious whether anyone out there actually works an 8-4 (or 7-3 or 9-5) schedule and doesn't have to stay late, take work home, or work on a weekend day or holiday more than once a month. If so, what kind of work do you do, and in what type of office? (Non-profit, government, private company, etc.)

Back story: I started a new job a few weeks ago that I was under the impression would be this type of schedule, and it isn't -- not necessarily because there is too much work to perform the job during business hours, but because my work is dependent on other people getting things in on time, and they don't. Since I took a huge pay cut to take the job because I thought it would enable me to spend more time with my DS, I am frustrated. Is poor time management a universal condition in the working world these days? Does one have to be FLSA non-exempt in order to leave work at work, and to leave work at a specific time? How much of this has to do with whether the people you work with/for have young children? I work with a lot of single people, and they seem to work beyond 5 or 6 p.m. by choice. (Although my boss is a mother with elementary school age children and seems to work crazy hours). I, on the other hand, have to leave by 3:45 to pick my son up from day care, as well as pumping 4x a day. I am jealous of my time with him, and greatly resent any intrusion into that, which seems like it will be a regular thing at this job. For a number of reasons, looking for something else is not on the table right now, so I just want to know whether I need to accept the fact that DC is just this way (I'm from the South, and people there by and large put family first in a way that people here seem not to), or whether there is such a thing as a 9 to 5 job anymore.

[Anonymous]

I work for the government, and I very rarely work outside of business hours. I have a blackberry, but only check it twice on weekend days.

I'm jealous of my time with my babies, too, and have to leave on time in order to pick both of them up. It's non-negotiable.

[Anonymous]

Was the set schedule something you discussed prior to starting work there (ie it was specifically promised to you or at least there was a good understanding that such was the case)? Or was it something you just assumed? If former, I would consider talking to your supervisor and mentioning that the arrangement is not working and discuss possible solutions. If you just assumed a "9-5", it may be more difficult to press your case. Regardless, I feel for you. I have a young child myself and it's very hard to work full time and not see her much during the week.

As far as leaving work at work - I think it depends more on the organization/type of work rather than whether people have/don't have children. I am in the private sector and where I work, pretty much everyone is expected to check the blackberry and be available by cell pretty much 24/7. Doesn't matter of they have kids or not. If something has to be done, it has to be done now and not wait until "regular" business hours. But I also know many people in private sector who don't have a blackberry and can truly leave work at work.

Hope you sort things out. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I generally work from 8:30 to 5 and take lunch, 5 days a week. I work for private industry in a technology group. My work is project based and I answer other people's requests, but I still leave at 5pm. Usually my projects are spread out over a few days so I can plan. If I'm not at my desk, they can email or call me, but I will not answer it until tomorrow. I leave earlier than anyone else on the team, but I'm also there about 1/2 hr before anyone. I just told my manager the first day that I HAVE to leave by 5 to get my child from daycare.

For some reason, when you leave is always more visible and more important than when you arrive. I try not to notice anyone looking at me when I leave, but it's tough. Most of the people who I think "internally" might be raising their eyebrows a bit don't have kids or the same responsibilities I do, and there are definitely people who work longer hours here (and get paid more and move up quicker too, I might add.) But right now I can't seem to be one of them.

You're also pumping a lot right now AND leaving fairly early, so I'm sure people haven't gotten used to your schedule yet. But here are some things I do:

1) if you have a shared calendar, block off the times that you are not in the office so people won't schedule meetings then. I have 4:30 to 5pm blocked off on all days so that people don't try to schedule a late meeting with me and then go over, and then I'm late.
2) Tell people if they get you something by X date or time, they will get it turned around from you by X. Give them fair warning. In my job, it is unreasonable to expect me to turn something aroudn in 1 hour. I may not be at their beck and call all the time, but that is what email and voicemail are for.
3) Be diligent about doing stuff quickly when you do have time. Or respond to emails at 7:30 or 8:30am when you do get in, so at least they have a response at the start of the next day.
4) Be honest with your manager, and tell her, look there are times of the day I just can't be here, but since I can plan around them, I can schedule things accordingly, etc, and I want you to know that I will be as responsive as possible.

You are handling a lot right now--just get the basics done and don't worry about perceived dirty looks, either.

[Anonymous]

I've always thought that it was interesting that you get more credit for staying late, rather than for coming in early. At one job I had, I would come in by 8:00 every day, and left at 5:30. There were people who would stay until 7 or 8, but they didn't come in until 9:30 or 10:00.

[Anonymous]

I wonder about this as well! It's something that drives me crazy because I've had to SEVERELY limit job choices because I need to work decent hours. I'm pretty unhappy at my job, but it's 9-5 and decent money. Not only do I want to spend time with my child, but I'd like to relax a little! I have a husband, family and friends - nevermind going to the gym or reading a book. I am really dismayed at the number of hours people work. It's unhealthy and does not necessarily produce better results! How on Earth we got to this culture is just beyond me. Who wants to work 8-6, then see your kids for 2 hours if you're lucky, then proceed to work for another 4 hours at home?? I think it's seriously damaging families and this country as a whole.

[Anonymous]

I do. I am a Case Manager for a outpatient health clinic. This was really important to me so that I can go home and spend time with our daughter.

[Anonymous]

I am lucky to work 9:30-5, and get a lenient lunch hour, for which I use to go to the gym. In my business (publications), this is type of workday is rare. I art direct magazines and in every job I've had before this, I would have to put in tons of unpaid overtime to meet printer deadlines, but they were for more glamorous magazines for which many people were dying to work for. And I did not want to be the first person to leave work. Then I had kids, and that had to stop...so I moved to DC and now work on not so glamorous magazines that never make it to the newsstand, but my hours are awesome. My job is so lenient, I can even teach at the gym on my lunchbreak. I guess it depends on your employer. There are many companies these days that know the value of having a "family-friendly" work environment. I believe there was an article in the Washingtonian about it last year.

[Anonymous]

I work as an information professional for a pharmaceutical company and can count the number of times I have worked overtime in the last 2 1/2 years on one hand. I selected this kind of work because I like to have regular hours to spend with my family.

Best of luck finding something that makes you happier and gives you the time at home you want.

[Anonymous]

I work at a Foundation - my hours are 9-5 M-Th with a one hour lunch. I also can leave at a moment's notice if I need to pick up my kids. I check email in the evenings and Friday- Sunday but rarely does anything need immediate attention. The tradeoff is that I feel pretty trapped in the job because of my great hours and flexibility. Also, the pay is quite low. However, to me it is worth it as I get to spend more time with my kids. Hard work was for my 20s and will probably come again later but for now, if I must work, then I want it to be as flexible as possible.

[Anonymous]

OP- is this a new company that you thought stuck to an 8 hour day or existing company but new job?

[Anonymous]

I work for the government. Except for the extremely rare travel, I work 8:30-5. Period.

[Anonymous]

I'm an attorney and work for a non-profit. My hours are 9-5:30. In the year that I've worked here, I think I've stayed past 6pm once or twice (but definitely not later than 7pm) and had one phone call on a weekend, which lasted less than 5 minutes. I have definitely never come into the office on the weekend. I think this is the norm at this organization. It's hard to find these places, but they really do exist.

[Anonymous]

I work for a small private company and run the HR Dept. I rarely work overtime and travel once or twice per year to recruit at universities.

[Anonymous]

Another lucky 9-5 person, with great flexibility, work from home and ability to leave at minutes notice. I dont take work home. I work late if I have to leave early.
My job does not pay great money but the flexility is worth it! I work for a small private company. I have worked here for quite a few years and part of the reason for the flexibility is that my coworkers know I do a good job, and my boss trusts me 100% in everything I do. I could not imagine having this flexibility if I just started in the company and had to prove myself!