Do you give your all at work?

I have had a tough last year and am determined to meeting targets this year. I give it my all at work but not sure the output is matching the input. Trying to be better at delegating what I can to focus on the stuff that requires my attention.
Work life balance is tipped the wrong way for me at the moment

I've overperformed in previous jobs, worked myself to the bone. I won't do it anymore.

Thankfully my job now is low workload and high perks so my work can be done to a high standard and I have loads of downtime. The person I replaced embezzled £100k and hit the newspapers with her crime so all I needed to do was be honest and not steal and the boss is happy.

I know I don't, I do have the odd really productive day about one day a week. I do enough to make a difference but I'm not slogging myself like I used to.

I would never give work 'my all'. However, I do honour my responsibilities and take some pride in what I do. To give work all of me would leave nothing for those whom I have to prioritise.

Yes, I think that too. I could never, NEVER be a nursery worker or Early Years teacher. They deserve a medal just for getting through the day.

@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.

Sod's law that's when you get spotted "slacking" by a manager, though, isn't it? If they're any good they'll know all about the extra hours you do for nothing. If they're shit they'll pull you up on it. And that's when people start working to rule, sticking to exact hours etc, not doing management any favours etc.

I can’t imagine how exhausting that role must be! I honestly think it must be one of the hardest jobs out there. 💐

Thank you, yes that was the point I made, you've put it perfectly.

Yes. I work in a nursery with 3-4 year olds, it's full on all day and no time to take it easy!

That wasn't me, but yes it sounds like a short day because only those 6.5/7 hours are paid. The point PP was making was that they actually have to work for more like half as much again to do what's expected and be prepared for/follow up the hours of teaching.

It's just not possible to do 2/3 as the OP is, because there's no downtime on the timetable (one class leaves and the next walk in) and the only way to have something good ready for deliver well is to work many additional unpaid hours.

Lots of people put extra time in when they have to present something as a one off and be ready to engage others, speak really clearly and succinctly, know their stuff, get others to really get it and be confident to field questions. Teaching means you do that each evening after the kids go home at 3:30 and everyone thinks you basically work part time.

I don't give 100%, 100% of time. It would be impossible and I ( and we, the team would burn out) However I give 100% a lot of the time and when a lull happens, I make the most of it. Tonight, for instance three staff are watching the football and I am MNing and also planning some work for the weekend when I'm working. Tomorrow is going to be a full on day without many gaps.

Totally feel that @bonzaitree

I don’t go the extra mile because last year I got no pay rise but inflation was circa 7% so this year I’m getting paid 7% less in effect so I literally clock in and clock off. WFH days I take time to do laundry dog walks life admin etc.

If I thought I’d be rewarded by going above and beyond then I would work much much harder. But they’ve created an environment where there is no payoff for going above and beyond.

Yes, I always give my all, and I overthink lots once I'm at home. I need to learn to stop, but I think it's just part and parcel of the job.

I have periods that are wildly busy and I am working really long hours, and less busy periods where I am roaming the building looking for people to chat to, or simply babysitting my laptop for messages if wfh. I figure it balances out!

@CurlyhairedAssassin i know what you mean. However I just can’t be arsed going the extra mile anymore because there are so many people getting paid way more than me
that don’t go the extra mile. I don’t even want to go up the ladder. I’ve reached a stage where I look after myself. Cos I’ve had so many years of being over worked with no break etc. I do the work that has to be done, and I stay working all the hours I am paid to work. and I don’t let my colleagues down. But I won’t stay late for no good reason. Today I had no break and finished half an hour late because it was busy. I’m not going to ask for that time back. But I won’t feel guilty browsing the web another day when it’s quiet. It’s all a fair balance really.

It only takes one person with a similar workload and KPIs to exceed them or say they need something else to do/are getting bored for your stats to be looked at more carefully - 'Why is it that Freda has consistently met these targets but has also asked for more work/started training/taken on another task because she's always finished by midday, whereas WB's timesheet/costing to the client says it takes her another five hours to do? I think we need to start looking at time management skills with WB and see whether she's actually up to the demands of the role'.

Needing thinking/planning time, undertaking training or anything like that is fine - but deliberately falsifying a timesheet/costings sheet? No, very, very bad idea. And one that's extremely difficult to skim over on a CV.

It's the same with schools, I think. People think that school office jobs must be a nice little job. Well, I had my eyes opened to that one a few years back when I took one. I'm still there but only just. Not sure my blood pressure can take much more than a year or two. It's the busiest, most stressful job, probably worst paid job I've ever had. Work through lunch, stay late, extra pay blah blah.

It's a bit annoying when I read people on here saying they just do the minimum and sometimes less than that. "I meet my targets and that's what they pay me for so who cares if I'm kicking around the house for an hour every day having completed everything. I'm good at what I do, I'm just efficient." Do you really think that in a a proper workplace if you'd finished everything your manager would just let you get off early? No, they'd probably decided that they'd underestimated the targets you were given, and you needed some more work/a project to fill the hours you were paid to do. I mean, I guess some people avoid this by just deliberately wasting time at the coffee machine or photocopier or going on messages or something and still claiming "Well I've met all my targets so....". But that would be noticed by a good manager and those are the people who are passed over for promotion or receive just an average annual performance management mark. The people who go the extra mile or approach their line manager to ask if they could help on another team etc, i.e. make full use of their working hours are the ones who are noticed and who get on in good workplaces.

Nope. I do everything I have to do (and do it very well) but when they pay me 23K a year (full time) and say there is no money for more (yet make huge profits), they can feck right off. I only stay because it’s 100% wfh and I’m fast approaching 60. My customer service is great, I get great feedback, exceed my targets and win the monthly award several times a year. But I do no more than I have to. I switch off bang on 4pm, take a full lunch and never offer to do extra. I can’t wait for the Olympics to start soon. I also do my housework and hang washing out. I’m lucky in that I find the job easy.

It takes most of my effort just to stay in the building for my full shift, theres very little left to actually do work 😂

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

Some people are just very efficient at work. Hours are arbitrary, productivity is the goal.

I can't work from home and no, I don't. I do what is needed, and sometimes give my own time if absolutely necessary, but I will not sacrifice my life and family for work, where I am ten a penny easily replaceable.

I give my all. But starting to get stressed so pulling back.