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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you give your all at work?

93 replies

WorkerBee123 · 10/07/2024 18:15

I work in a highly qualified but very very underpaid company, 100% from home. I have to log the hours worked and so I exaggerate them. This means I work about 2/3 of my hours. I get everything done, exceed targets etc. Anyone else do similar?

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Kellyanne555 · 11/07/2024 21:08

I give my all at work because I have to.

My every screen is recorded. My every mouse click is recorded. My every call is recorded and listened to.
They time my breaks and check when I'm back.

It was the same in my last work from home job

mamabeeboo · 11/07/2024 20:15

What people don't seem to talk about, is that everyone works at a different pace, has different competencies, different experience, levels of communication etc which all total up their level of productivity. So if i get the same amount of work done as my predecessor, in less time, on the same pay, I wouldn't volunteer additional work/time/effort.

Over the course of my career, I've given a little less and gotten feedback to pick it up a bit. So I've given a little more and exceeded expectations. I've finally managed a nice balance where I keep on top of everything and shine on the odd occasion - this takes 60-70% of my effort. So that's all work is getting. If they are happy with it, I'm more than happy with it.

I was in the office before covid. I just spent a lot of time browsing online, having coffee, long lunches, daydreaming, online shopping etc. Don't think that being in the office means working 🤣

Now I'm 100% wfh and can at least use my time to do something useful around the house.

randomtash · 11/07/2024 14:43

I probably don't. I find it utterly exhausting managing 38 hours a week work and being the main parent to young DC. And if something is going to slack it's always going to be work rather than family.

I'm never behind, everything gets done that needs to be done, but I'd be lying if I said I gave 100% every day. But I also have periods of hyper motivation where I'll work all evening after DC bedtime as I've had an idea or I want to do some reporting with any interruption

It probably balances itself out.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 11/07/2024 14:42

Hard to quantify, as I'm a teacher. I work 2-3 hours a day outside of school hours, but teachers' contracts state that they must work directed time, plus whatever further hours necessary to fulfill their duties. I never fully get done everything I'm theoretically supposed to do.

Coffeerum · 11/07/2024 14:36

HazelLion · 10/07/2024 21:45

I feel like this is the problem with the cultural fixation on working 9-5, 5 days a week. If you're paid for your output and you get all your work done, that should be enough. In a salaried role you're theoretically being paid for your output, not your ass in a seat.

Personally, I get my work done quickly and to a high standard and so end up with a lot of downtime at my job where I have to look busy. I'd rather have my time back and leave at 3:30 if that's when I'm done and there's nothing anyone else needs help with.

Employees are very happy to lean into the salary not set hours aspect when it’s working over but it should work the same way if all targets are achieved earlier too.

financialcareerstuff · 11/07/2024 14:33

For first 18 years yes- I would do everything and anything to do a superb job. But after two successive companies I did this for disappointed me hugely, I've realised work is a contract, not a relationship. Now I deliver what I'm asked, I am strategic in doing only what gets recognised and rewarded, in acting in my interest as well as the company's rather than subjugating my interest to the company's, and I prioritise my life outside work.

Huifen · 11/07/2024 07:45

I give my all at work because I am a pleaser. My managers don't really deserve it!

ElderMillenials · 11/07/2024 07:36

If you're highly qualified then you're paid for the years of training and experience rather than hours.

My job has ebbs and flows- some times I'm doing 10 hour days with no breaks and others everything is done in a couple of hours. There's an understanding that ideally at my level we should be at about 60/70% capacity, the rest is for people management, admin, CPD or whatever we need to do. As long as everything is done on time and to the expected standard it's not a problem which is the way roles like mine (not public facing, highly skilled/qualified/experienced) should be. obviously it's not suitable for everyone and things like healthcare, teaching, customer service can't have that flexibility but you know what you're getting in to.

Zanatdy · 11/07/2024 07:19

No, I log my hours 100% accurately on my flexi time sheet. It’s gross misconduct and people do get found out.

Weetabbix · 11/07/2024 06:54

Kellyanne555 · 10/07/2024 19:19

It doesn't matter if she gets all her tasks done.

People have been fired for not working their ser hours from home.

There were a lot of cases of this recently in the news.

Depends entirely on who the employer is and how much they care.

Many employers are happy as long as you get your work done.

Beezknees · 11/07/2024 06:43

I give my all at work. To be honest you couldn't get away with not giving your all as it's customer service, we're expected to do a certain amount of interactions per day and it is all recorded, we're expected to also get above 90% positive reviews for service.

Plus I want to progress at work.

upthespoutagain · 11/07/2024 06:22

HaPPy8 · 10/07/2024 20:31

Oh you said you were paid 830-330 which is only 7 hours and quite a short day

I am supply, so I am paid those hours and that is what I do - arrive at 8.30 and leave at 3.30. It is great not having to stay to parent's evening, or for staff meetings, no planning team time, no curriculum group planning etc. Teachers tend to work longer hours, regularly and it is UNPAID. The point being made is that they are not paid for the amount of work they are expected to do and that is baked into the system.

dubberrucky · 10/07/2024 21:51

Sometimes. I work as a nanny. The parents do jobs that would have an impact on a lot of people (doctor) if they missed work if I called in sick. So I never miss work but if I’ve had an absolutely shit nights sleep or my anemia has me feeling like I’m about to pass out, then it’s tv and whatever. Other days were activity packed for 8 hours.

Doubledded123 · 10/07/2024 21:51

Wonkybrolly · 10/07/2024 20:24

This is timely for me! I’ve just been refused a pay rise which is dreadfully deflating, embarrassing and quite insulting. My job role has changed significantly since I joined and I have a lot of risk on my shoulders in my work. But since they aren’t paying for it (industry averages are £10k more for a similar role) I’ve been slacking off for the last 3 days.

I am on the job hunt. I am not motivated to give it my everything anymore. And my manager understands this. He really fought with HR to level up my pay, provided evidence that I’m great at my job and do more than I should - and they still said no.

Today, I didn’t do any work above my pay grade and had a bit of extra time to relax in the sun! 😂 🤷‍♀️

I am too conscientious to make it a long term habit. But while I’m upset at how little I’m valued - I’ll be slacking off with my managers approval.

Hope I find a new job soon! Just changed my LinkedIn to “open to work” but I expect HR will moan about that too.

Oh same here ! Was denied a pay increase
From 21 to 24 k. Frankly insulting....

LaurieFairyCake · 10/07/2024 21:48

I work every moment of my hours

It would be impossible not to in my job (CAMHS)

HazelLion · 10/07/2024 21:45

I feel like this is the problem with the cultural fixation on working 9-5, 5 days a week. If you're paid for your output and you get all your work done, that should be enough. In a salaried role you're theoretically being paid for your output, not your ass in a seat.

Personally, I get my work done quickly and to a high standard and so end up with a lot of downtime at my job where I have to look busy. I'd rather have my time back and leave at 3:30 if that's when I'm done and there's nothing anyone else needs help with.

MumChp · 10/07/2024 21:43

I did. For years.
Now I try to work 100%. I leve then my skift is done and meet 10 min before.
My work still expects us to work crazy. Healthcare is exhausting and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

nearlymrs · 10/07/2024 21:42

@Wonkybrolly TOSN?!

Wonkybrolly · 10/07/2024 21:39

@nearlymrs wondering if we work for the same company 😂

MrsPinkCock · 10/07/2024 21:38

I WFH. I’m contracted to 7.5 hours a day. I do 8.5-9 hours a day, and only take 20 mins ish for lunch.

But I love my job, my colleagues are equally as hard working, my work is massively appreciated and my boss is great, as is my company. Great benefits. So no, I don’t take the piss. The person before me who did was fired, so it does get noticed!

Wonkybrolly · 10/07/2024 21:37

nearlymrs · 10/07/2024 21:25

@Wonkybrolly

Thank you, I appreciate that! I earn less than 30p above minimum wage, because I'm qualified and have nearly 20 years experience- and I'm expected to be grateful it's not just minimum wage! It's a good job my DH earns enough to keep us going, sadly having a love and passion for your career doesn't pay the bills.

Absolutely the same with me. With near enough salaries. Which is why I’m so upset about my declined pay rise :( yet our company wins awards for “employer of the year” in our industry awards!!

It’s a joke and incredibly insulting

FridayFeelingmidweek · 10/07/2024 21:37

What a load of rubbish. Come on, if she's efficient that's fantastic. Probably means others are dragging their heals at work.

FridayFeelingmidweek · 10/07/2024 21:35

Hilarious response! I'm sure you log your time taken tea making. What a joke.

Good for you if yiu get your work done quickly. Probably means others are slow, inefficient or lazy.

jjeoreo · 10/07/2024 21:33

NHS and yes I do. Maybe 80% on a bad day. I don't feel there's an option not too - in terms of patient outcomes and my own conscience.

Yeah, I know I sound sanctimonious.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 10/07/2024 21:32

I guess the issue is that after years of austerity when people just didn't get replaced if they left an organisation, sometimes working above and beyond has just become the norm. But it's not sustainable day after day, is it?. it's not just a one off here and there for a project deadline or an evening event past your hours. It's just that there's too much work for the people available to do it - on a daily basis. In the long term it's not sustainable to work through lunch each and stay late every night etc just to get the basics done.

Perhaps MORE people should be sticking to their hours and doing no more and then it will be more apparent to management where the gaps are.

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