After my husband, Keith, finished school and accepted a full-time position, he worked a great deal of overtime, often more than 20 extra hours a week. Getting paid time and a half for these hours would ensure we were rolling in dough. At least, that's what we thought.
When Keith took a week off without pay, we expected his paycheque to be half what it usually was. To our surprise, he brought in just a few hundred dollars less, not the eight or nine hundred we anticipated. By working overtime, Keith had moved into a higher tax bracket. He was working 70 hours a week and making just a little more than he'd make by working regular hours.
Working overtime can result in major personal sacrifices for minor monetary rewards. Here are some things to consider before you commit yourself to extra hours at the office:
Physical Health
Working overtime often means you don't have as much time for basic health care. After a long day, the last thing you may want to do is work out, prepare a healthy meal or get enough sleep. Instead, it's often easier to grab fast food on the way home, eat in front of the television and go to sleep late because it takes longer to wind down from the workday.
Mental Health
Without time for yourself, you may feel frustrated, overworked, and unappreciated. Personal time is very important for your mental well-being, regardless of what industry you're in.
Relationships
Working late can mean you don't have time to take care of your relationships with friends and family. Determine which is more important to you.
Productivity
Identify why you work overtime. Is your department understaffed? Do you need assistance managing your time efficiently or delegating tasks to others?
Career
While you may think working overtime shows a commitment to the company, your boss could be worried about the potential for burn out. Conversely, you may be establishing a pattern in which overtime will be expected of you – are you willing to make this long-term commitment?
If working overtime is taking a toll on your health, relationships or career, it might be time to re-evaluate your commitment to your employer and yourself.
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