How Long Do You Work?
Ever since I started Nexus Publishing near six years ago, I have certainly worked more hours than I ever did when I was employed. I sometimes think about the years when a fixed 40-hour week was the norm. But I still rushed back home, eat my food much faster than I should so I could get on with developing my business that I hoped would give me the chance to work for myself.
These days I wouldn’t swap the job I have now for an office-based existence now that I have escaped cubicle hell. But my working week these days averages at least 55 hours and often moved past 65 in the blink of an eye. Long hours yes, but they are all for me and my family. I’m typing this blog entry at 10.40pm. But I wanted to get a new entry on my blog for everyone that has taken the time to subscribe to my feed, so the hour is irrelevant to me.
I did, however, come across a feature on the Personnel Today website that looks at workaholism from a human resources perspective. The feature mentions research by the TUC that states: More than one in eight of the workforce now works more than 48 hours each week, with as many as one in six employees in London putting in 48 hours plus a week. And the number of employees working unpaid overtime increased by 103,000 in 2007, bringing the total to nearly five million.
More telling, however, is the next comment that says: Paul Sellers, working time policy adviser for the TUC, adds that one in five of those working overtime does not want to cut back their hours. Of those working more than 48 hours per week, one in four does not want to scale back.
I think the UK workforce is the most overworked in Europe, but it would seem that we like it. Now don’t get me wrong. I like to laze about when given the chance, but I don’t think I would actively seek to work more hours. In fact I am trying out several time management systems to try and save time. More on that in a future post, so stay tuned.
Over work does, though, seem to becoming chronic as Gina Gardiner, a former school principal who regularly worked 16 hour days founded Recovering Workaholics to help those lost in work. I’m not ready to sign up just yet, but I can see that if you don’t keep a check on yourself, it would be easy to become a workaholic.
As a freelancer, it’s hard to say no to every job that comes along. But I have learned the art of saying no when I simply don’t have any more time in my schedule. Bryan Robinson, a psychotherapist and author of the book, Chained to the Desk says: “They sit at their desks and think about skiing. The workaholic is on the ski slopes thinking about work.”
Personally I have a great system for telling me when I am over working. She’s called Joanne who is my wife. She knows when I’m pushing a little too hard, or it’s time to switch off my Mac and come to bed. Family are part of why you are working for yourself in the first place. Don’t lose that essential part of your existence by working too hard. So, how many hours did you work last week? My tally was a 60.
