by Ginny

Created on: January 27, 2007   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

I would hazard a guess that if we were all asked what we'd like to do with an evening, very few of us would say "stay at work!" But with the 24/7 expectations of our society today, staying late (or coming in early, over the weekends, etc) is a reality for most of us in the workforce.

Employers expect their staff to be professionals who do what it takes to get the job done, even if it means putting in extra time. But as employees, we also have the right to expect that our jobs can be reasonably balanced with our lives - maintaining our home, spending time with family and friends, raising our children, and pursuing our interests.

When faced with a job that requires a lot of extra hours, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the need to work late a constant thing, or is it based more on cycles and workflows?

If you find that you are always staying late to get your job done, even though the nature or volume of your work rarely changes, then chances are there's a problem somewhere. Perhaps the department you work in doesn't have adequate human resources or systems to meet expectations. Or perhaps you aren't working as efficiently as possible. Something in the equation isn't working well.

On the other hand, an occasional need to work late because you are at a critical point in a project or work cycle can be a manageable expectation. For example, I work at a university. During the beginning and ending weeks of each semester, I know my office will be swamped and we'll all need to go above and beyond. But because it is a predictable issue, we can plan our lives accordingly.

2. Is your employer open to suggestions for improving efficiency?
If you find that you're always working late, take some to analyze why this is the case. Learn as much as you can about your job, and how similar responsibilities are performed elsewhere. Could improved processes or more advanced computer systems help you and others in your office work more efficiently? Are you spending so much of the regular workday in meetings that you can't actually get to your key responsibilities until after hours?

Talk with your boss about the situation. A good supervisor is willing to hear employee ideas and concerns as long as they are expressed professionally. Rather than going to your boss with a list of complaints, have both your concerns and possible solutions ready for discussion.

Fairness is critical for a productive workplace. If your employer is expecting you to let your job cut into your personal time

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