To hope/ think a 35 or 37 hour week is 'normal' for some people

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I have a senior job in higher education. I average 45 to 55 hours a week - cannot remember the last time i had a proper weekend or holiday. I'm really, really tired and have burnt out. The hours and stress impact my health, my homelife, time with my children, etc. I'm done! I've the opportunity to change careers. Similar wage, but different sector and promises a healthy worklife balance. Can I please be reassued, is there anyone out there who can earn an OK wage and still have a life outside of work?

What's an OK wage?

Yes. I do 35 hours per week and have a good salary.

Definitely possible but for a good wage (depends what you mean by that) it tends to be easier after some years experience imo.

In my sector (NHS) an awful lot of people go part time as they get more senior.

I'm in software engineering, we're paid well and the vast majority of the time have a very healthy work life balance. 37.5hours a week 👍

Yeah...what's an ok wage??

Not a huge wage by MN standards (£36k) but I work 37 hours a week for a Virtual School (actually I am PT so 30 hrs but our weekly hours are 37) - I wont say it's NOT stressful, I don't take my work home with me or that I don;t end up taking meetings on my day off (EG texting one of my YP today because I missed a message from them) but, having grown up with a teacher mum - no I do not work the hours you do.

I work in education and work 26 hours per week - ft is 40 but we are paid for lunch so more like 37.5 hours really - 8-4 or 9-5 is standard.

I think I earn an ‘ok’ wage but I suspect it’s a pittance in Munsnetland.

I'm on 55-60k. I'm recognise this is a good wage, so not moaning about this, just wondering if this is possible and have a life.

I work 37.5 hrs, rarely take a lunch break but otherwise pretty much work my hours, plus have flexibility to finish early/start late if I need to drop the car to the garage/take a child to the dentist etc. Never work weekends unless I choose to do overtime, don't check my emails outside of working hours. NHS office job, £45k ish, not sure if that counts as an 'ok' wage but it is above average so...

I'm a teacher. I do 45 hours a week in school and probably at least another 5 at home. So... nope!

I've found that moving over to lecturing allows more of a balance...some times of the year are crazy but there are also some quiet times and flexibility to wfh 25% of the time.

50k, 4.5 days. Charity management

I work 4 days in teaching.

Lose a day's pay and pension for the luxury of what would, in other sectors, be classed as "compressed hours" full time.

Yeah our head is probably on that - they're PT but in reality work probably similar to you - so no not in my sector!

Good wage. 35 hours contracted, my manager tells me off if she thinks I'm getting towards 40 and we get 'summer hours' (early knock off on Fridays during summer). Close my laptop on a Friday and don't think about work until Monday.

I earn more than you at a large accountancy firm and have a good work life balance as does everyone I know. Yes sometimes additional hours are needed and I always put in a few extra hours but I rarely work weekends. Things have changed a lot since the pandemic and work life balance is a much higher priority for most people, and large companies recognise that.

I'm looking to move to the charity sector. Thanks

Yup, thats the norm here. Sometimes a bit more in busy periods but not regularly.

Be prepared though for a likely crap pension and depending on what you are doing picking up on the failings of statutory services lol

Make the move! Life is too short to go on feeling like that if you have another option. I earn £50k FTE in an engineering role and only ever really work my hours and company are all about well-being and supportive. Not quite as much as you but wouldn’t change it

Edit - meant to say full time hours are 36hr week

Similar ish salary. Easy a 50-60 hour week. Public sector but not education or health

70k and 37 ish hours in HE. Wouldn't move to charity sector though, due to previous experience of low salary and long hours.

I have a senior job in the higher education sector and work 35 hours per week. I use all my annual leave. There’s a lot of pressure in my work and lots of people work weekends and holidays but life’s too short.

I’m part time so pro rata, I work shifts which works for me and my family. FTE salary £42k for a 35 hour week

I work 35 hours and get paid for 40 as we have a paid lunch hour. Not good money though, just £25k