How hard do you work?

[Tim McG]

In the teacher biz, we work until the job is done.

On average, I put in anywhere from 45-60 hours a week depending on the workload for that week. With 180-190 students' papers to read/grade then input into the grade book [via computer these days, thank God] lesson planning, parent conferences, department meetings, evening phone calls home, research and study time, after school coaching [or, in my case, stadium PA announcer] we work well past the time kids are dismissed.

Weekend is just code for time to get more work done. Ugh.

[A Lark Ascending]

In the teacher biz, we work until the job is done.

On average, I put in anywhere from 45-60 hours a week depending on the workload for that week. With 180-190 students' papers to read/grade then input into the grade book [via computer these days, thank God] lesson planning, parent conferences, department meetings, evening phone calls home, research and study time, after school coaching [or, in my case, stadium PA announcer] we work well past the time kids are dismissed.

Weekend is just code for time to get more work done. Ugh.

Quite.

And when you're up against 9Z9 on a hot May afternoon, responsible to respond to the 'personalised learning' of all 28 while they don't want to do anything (and possibly being called on to help out a colleague with a confrontation next door), you sometimes get the idea that you are doing several jobs simultaneously.

Waste time on internet? Chance would be a fine thing.

Having said that, I really feel for those in professions putting themselves in direct physical danger, or responsible for life or death decisions; or those where keeping in a job requires you to sell a certain amount of stuff to people who don't really want it.

[Dave James]

A great example of the employee management dichotomy.

There is definitely a dichotomy. For instance, I've always found there to be a higher proportion of assholes among the managerial class, and at least as much incompetence.

Incompetence is by no means limited by the status one has achieved in an organization. I've reported to really bright, capable, personable people and I've reported to some who'd have trouble finding their ass with either hand and a mirror. And sometimes, depending on a given situation, assholes do make the best managers.

[Pete C]

And sometimes, depending on a given situation, assholes do make the best managers.

Maybe as far as other managers are concerned, but not the people who have to work for them.

[ejp626]

I'm officially supposed to put in 37.5 hours/week. I expect it is much more like 50, and I almost never stop thinking about how to make improvements to parts of my job I'm responsible for. (I'm the senior transport modeler.) But in terms of wasted time on the internet, that's probably 10 hours a week. I figure it comes out about even, particularly given how much mental overtime I put in. Of course, we have close to 10 hours/week on fairly pointless meetings, which are then rescheduled at the last minute and sometimes completely cancelled, so the effort you spent on preparing for the meetings (slides, handouts, etc.) doesn't feel at all productive.

My manager has some strong qualities but is actually pretty terrible on the management side of things (disorganized, late with feedback, a bit of a micro-manager, etc.). Definitely would have been better off staying at a chief economist position and not risen to manager. Ah well, the Peter Principle strikes again...

[JSngry]

Just as Communism is a political system & socialism an economic one, being an asshole is a personality trait. Being a good manager is a skill set. So, let's not confuse, the two.

If, an asshole is a good manager, it's in spite of being an asshole, not because of being one. And if, an asshole, who is also a good manager, is unable to be a good manager, without being an asshole, that's the result of a character flaw, not the job requirement.

The management skill set does require objectivity, and, the ability to make decisions that will cause people discomfort, and/or pain. But being an asshole is not a prerequisite for carrying out those imperatives, nor is it a required behavior in doing so.

There are plenty of excuses for bad behavior, but hardly any justifications for, it.

[Dave James]

Jim, don't forget that many times an asshole is in the eye of the beholder.

[Tim McG]

In the teacher biz, we work until the job is done.

On average, I put in anywhere from 45-60 hours a week depending on the workload for that week. With 180-190 students' papers to read/grade then input into the grade book [via computer these days, thank God] lesson planning, parent conferences, department meetings, evening phone calls home, research and study time, after school coaching [or, in my case, stadium PA announcer] we work well past the time kids are dismissed.

Weekend is just code for time to get more work done. Ugh.

Quite.

And when you're up against 9Z9 on a hot May afternoon, responsible to respond to the 'personalised learning' of all 28 while they don't want to do anything (and possibly being called on to help out a colleague with a confrontation next door), you sometimes get the idea that you are doing several jobs simultaneously.

Waste time on internet? Chance would be a fine thing.

Having said that, I really feel for those in professions putting themselves in direct physical danger, or responsible for life or death decisions; or those where keeping in a job requires you to sell a certain amount of stuff to people who don't really want it.

Agreed.

Police, Fire and EMTs don't get paid near enough for what they do.

Edited May 25, 2012 by GoodSpeak

[JSngry]

Jim, don't forget that many times an asshole is in the eye of the beholder.

Oh, I know. I've beholden many, and have been beholden as well.

One thing I have determined, though - I will not work for an asshole any longer than absolutely necessary. I'm damn good at what I do, in every way, and I've cultivated an "internal customer base" that appreciates me (and I them, it's all about mutual respect) and that's worked out just fine for all concerned. They need considerations from me, they get them. I need considerations from them, I get them. Nobody takes anybody for granted, and nobody tries to take advantage. The few that have tried have learned that it doesn't work that way. Backs are got!

Mutual respect goes a long way towards maximizing both efficiency and satisfaction for everybody. But it must be earned by all, and it must be balanced between all. Ain't no room for no ego trips and/or power games by anybody. Just get the job done and everybody be happy about that.

Some people try to make it all about working "with" you instead of "for" you. Well, no. That won't get it. Gotta be some kind of boss (and boss structure). But neither will working for you instead of with you. I work for you, and we both work with each other.

It just gotsta be that way, if you wanna dance with me. And I got no kicks against modern jazz, even when they try to play it too darn fast.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I put down 60 hours, when I did work, before a very welcome retirement. Working for politicians, you work nearly as many hours as they do. Though some of it was at home; if there was a speech to write, it was better to concentrate at home after work. And it was ALWAYS urgent. Politicians are bigger arseholes than any manager. And nastier.

The accompanying survey - on wages - was interesting, too. My pension this year is $3622 a month; 18% above the UK average. And I reckon I earned every penny.

MG

[aparxa]

Working with students, I work nearly as many hours as they do.

[papsrus]

I'm paid to upload stuff to the internet that you guys are wasting your time on.

(rather: "... on which you guys are wasting time.)

[jeffcrom]

I'm paid to upload stuff to the internet that you guys are wasting your time on.

(rather: "... on which you guys are wasting time.)

[Tim McG]

I'm paid to upload stuff to the internet that you guys are wasting your time on.

(rather: "... on which you guys are wasting time.)

Just say nice things about me, OK?

[Tjazz]

Greece is No. 3?

I thought they were a bunch of early-retiring, government sucking, moped-riding, beach-combing layabouts who do nothing but eat, drink, smoke, dance, eat, fish, dance, smoke, dance, fish, eat and collect pensions. ... Have I been duped? Again?

And Russia No. 4? I wouldn't have guessed those two would be in the top 4.

As for myself, everyone but the French, Norwegians, Germans and the Netherlanders (Netherlanders?) works more hours than me. (shhhhh)

Going broke is hard work.

Edited May 28, 2012 by Tjazz

[robertoart]

Doing nothing means a lot me.

[Tim McG]

Doing nothing means a lot me.

Me, too.

It is my idea of a great vacation

[robertoart]

Doing nothing means a lot me.

Me, too.

It is my idea of a great vacation

Yes. But by the time you finally wind down and start to relax, the holiday is over and you have to go back to work.

Actually the quote is from a Bon Scott AC/DC lyric.

Another song title I like about the subject of work is 'I'm to lazy to work and to nervous to steel'.

And of course I don't subscribe to any of these philosophies.

Here is the complete AC/DC lyric, are some of these lyrics stolen or appropriated from a traditional blues I wonder?

I know that it's evil

I know that it's got to be

I know I ain't doing much

Doing nothing means a lot to me

Living on a shoe string

A fifty cent millionaire

Open to charity

Rock 'n' roller welfare

Sitting in my Cadillac

Listening to my radio

Suzy baby get on in

Tell me where she want to go

I'm living in a nightmare

She's looking like a wet dream

I got myself a Cadillac

But I can't afford the gasoline

CHORUS:

I've got holes in my shoes

And I'm way overdue

Down payment blues

Get myself a steady job

Some responsibility

Can't even feed my cat

On social security

Hiding from the rent man

Oh it makes me want to cry

Sheriff knocking on my door

Ain't it funny how the time flies

Sitting on my sailing boat

Sipping on my champaign

Suzy baby all at sea [suzy baby you're obscene]

Say she want to come again

Feeling like a paper cup

Floating down a storm drain

Got myself a silk umbrella

Edited May 29, 2012 by freelancer

[BeBop]

Doing nothing - even watching television or a movie or sitting on a beach - would kill me. Painfully.

[Tim McG]

Doing nothing - even watching television or a movie or sitting on a beach - would kill me. Painfully.

It re-charges my jets

Seriously, if the biggest decision I have to make on vacation is do I go to town to buy the newspaper...it's been a great day!

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Doing nothing - even watching television or a movie or sitting on a beach - would kill me. Painfully.

It re-charges my jets

Seriously, if the biggest decision I have to make on vacation is do I go to town to buy the newspaper...it's been a great day!

Don't go on holiday to Africa, then!

MG

[BeBop]

Hmmmmm. What's meant by the "Africa" comment? (Sorry, I'm genuinely stumped.) I've been to almost every contry in Africa, except "Disney" Africa (safari countries and tourist-friendly). I've had ample opportunity to be busy or do nothing.

[robertoart]

Doing nothing - even watching television or a movie or sitting on a beach - would kill me. Painfully.

When you have beaches like we do in Australia, and the Summer weather, not sitting on a beach for sometime is almost criminal

Australian TV (and movies these days) that's another story. I'm making the best out of a bad situation by indulging in late night re-runs of Becker (still my favourite good natured misanthrope).

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Hmmmmm. What's meant by the "Africa" comment? (Sorry, I'm genuinely stumped.) I've been to almost every contry in Africa, except "Disney" Africa (safari countries and tourist-friendly). I've had ample opportunity to be busy or do nothing.

One does have to keep on one's toes, though. It's not a place to abandon one's decision-making process.

MG

[Tim McG]

Doing nothing - even watching television or a movie or sitting on a beach - would kill me. Painfully.

It re-charges my jets

Seriously, if the biggest decision I have to make on vacation is do I go to town to buy the newspaper...it's been a great day!

Don't go on holiday to Africa, then!

MG

Sounds like good advice if you're on safari, I would suppose.