Page 14 | To ask what high earners do all day?

WearyCat · 2025-11-29T20:10:08+00:00

I genuinely don’t know what CEOs, that type of role, people earning over 150K pa actually ^do^. How do they spend their time? Not whether they are worth the salary. But what do those jobs involve on a day to day basis? All I have is an idea based on films and guesswork. Is it golf? Lunches? Meetings? What sort of decisions are they making? What pressures are they facing? I’m interested, curious, and I don’t see how I would ever find out in real life because I don’t move in circles where people have that sort of job.

ItsAWonderfulLifeforMe · 01/12/2025 21:00

WearyCat · 01/12/2025 20:30

I’m still following, and though the discussions about the different types of stress or pressure are interesting, I’m not sure they’re ever resolvable because I imagine there are very few people who have been both a CEO/high earner familiar with the types of pressure detailed by some posters here, and also have the experience of being social workers, teachers, health professionals and so on- who absolutely do carry work around with them to their homes and holidays- actual physical work sometimes, or worries about children, patients, clients etc on other occasions- and often work very long hours. So I wasn’t trying to open a conversation about that here.

I am quite interested to know whether the high salary is worth it. I’ve noted a few posts which suggest that it may not be/have been for those posters. (Equally my own break from working in education was due to the pressures of that job, and I’ve taken steps to try and avoid getting to that sort of point ever again.) Or is it worth it to be financially secure- because financial insecurity is another source of toxic stress.

Can the body even distinguish between different types of toxic or chronic stress?

As a family we are justifying that it is ‘worth it’ as we can afford for me to be a SAHM.

We are also planning for early retirement- putting in as much as we can into the pension to give him some hope of freedom from the rat race and stress. When I start working again we will have more money and financial security but for now having me home taking the childcare and household load is more important. Lifestyle creep is real and very possible and we need to be responsible with the earnings he has as they may not be as high forever. We can also afford a large (but not fancy) house and this makes us happy and we enjoy our home.

Or he might continue to rise up the ranks and earn even more and his job will
take over our life completely which seems like a possibility reading some of the comments!

Jamclag · 01/12/2025 21:34

Just to add - I have no problem with people being well paid if they really are shouldering all the responsibility and if the buck does actually stop with them. Unless you're a robot that is a huge amount of stress on one person and should be compensated fairly. But if there is little cost to incompetence, negligence, corruption and greed (as in it's relatively easy to move to another position even if found guilty) where's the incentive for good governance?

Oh and correction to my last post - 'their' own - duh!

blueshoes · 01/12/2025 22:27

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 01/12/2025 20:34

So if you can have a contingency plan to hand over the reins in an emergency, why not make it a regular thing so the CEO / high flying lawyer / marketing director etc. can enjoy their time off? Honestly if someone expected me to be on call during my scheduled down time that generations fought for I would tell them to pretend I was in a coma for the week and act accordingly.

Show quote history

That's fine but that is why you are not paid the Big Bucks.

LadyTyburn · 01/12/2025 22:49

WearyCat · 01/12/2025 20:30

I’m still following, and though the discussions about the different types of stress or pressure are interesting, I’m not sure they’re ever resolvable because I imagine there are very few people who have been both a CEO/high earner familiar with the types of pressure detailed by some posters here, and also have the experience of being social workers, teachers, health professionals and so on- who absolutely do carry work around with them to their homes and holidays- actual physical work sometimes, or worries about children, patients, clients etc on other occasions- and often work very long hours. So I wasn’t trying to open a conversation about that here.

I am quite interested to know whether the high salary is worth it. I’ve noted a few posts which suggest that it may not be/have been for those posters. (Equally my own break from working in education was due to the pressures of that job, and I’ve taken steps to try and avoid getting to that sort of point ever again.) Or is it worth it to be financially secure- because financial insecurity is another source of toxic stress.

Can the body even distinguish between different types of toxic or chronic stress?

You asked about the body distinguishing between different types of stress. The Whitehall studies (epidemiological cohorts) did give some evidence that the worst kind of stress was that associated with powerlessness. IIRC, they looked at civil servants of different grades and their heart health. And found that being more senior was, although very stressful, also more free. And less damaging. It's been a while since I read them though.

StressieBessy · 01/12/2025 23:48

WearyCat · 01/12/2025 20:30

I’m still following, and though the discussions about the different types of stress or pressure are interesting, I’m not sure they’re ever resolvable because I imagine there are very few people who have been both a CEO/high earner familiar with the types of pressure detailed by some posters here, and also have the experience of being social workers, teachers, health professionals and so on- who absolutely do carry work around with them to their homes and holidays- actual physical work sometimes, or worries about children, patients, clients etc on other occasions- and often work very long hours. So I wasn’t trying to open a conversation about that here.

I am quite interested to know whether the high salary is worth it. I’ve noted a few posts which suggest that it may not be/have been for those posters. (Equally my own break from working in education was due to the pressures of that job, and I’ve taken steps to try and avoid getting to that sort of point ever again.) Or is it worth it to be financially secure- because financial insecurity is another source of toxic stress.

Can the body even distinguish between different types of toxic or chronic stress?

It is worth it up to a point. I take a deep sense of satisfaction from my work and the fact that I have succeeded in my career. I am proud of myself. And obviously the money has allowed us significant financial freedom and enabled us to give our kids a comfortable start in life - although I am often too busy and stressed to enjoy the benefits people imagine come with it (see PPs’ comments above about what holidays actually look like).

But as I get older, I feel increasingly that living, day-in-day-out, with intense chronic stress and peaks of massive anxiety at key moments, is going to kill me.

I feel it physically as well as metaphorically. I live a very unhealthy life; little time for good food, virtually no exercise, no hobbies. My body has survived it thus far but I feel like a ticking time bomb.

So the plan is to keep going only for as long it takes to save a nest egg which will allow us to retire early (ie early 50s) and then stop altogether. Hopefully I will get there before my body gives out!!

wmaa · 01/12/2025 23:53

My DH earns a bit over that. His day today involved leaving the house around 6am, returning 11:30pm and then carrying on working. He's working upstairs now reviewing a report to be sent to a client. His day has mostly consisted of meetings in person and then phone calls after hours to colleagues who are also working late. I do feel so very angry when people want high earners to hand over more money in tax - he's worked double what most people do in a day, his health is on fire, mine is on fire (because I pick up all slack). Oh, he's also got a cold/cough and doesn't stop for that.

He takes calls on Saturday, Sunday, Bank holiday and during annual leave.

He's one of the highest paid people where he works, deservedly so.

ThisAutumnTown · 01/12/2025 23:57

I have 2 family members who are v v v v v high earners and they spend their days in meetings or they’re travelling around the world for more meetings.
Neither of them are at home very often.

StressieBessy · 01/12/2025 23:58

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 01/12/2025 20:34

So if you can have a contingency plan to hand over the reins in an emergency, why not make it a regular thing so the CEO / high flying lawyer / marketing director etc. can enjoy their time off? Honestly if someone expected me to be on call during my scheduled down time that generations fought for I would tell them to pretend I was in a coma for the week and act accordingly.

Show quote history

It depends on the job but in my role (legal) I am the person with the highest level of experience and most developed skill set in the team. When I am away there is no such thing as a person who can step into my shoes.

Holiday cover is always a very imperfect compromise and the lawyers standing in for me don’t have the same knowledge of the case or experience so still need to consult me throughout the day; hence multiple calls, meetings and emails throughout most holidays. It is also what clients demand/expect when they are paying a very high hourly rate; they simply will not accept a stand in at critical moments.

The notion of downtime is something we give up when we take this sort of role.

Franpie · 02/12/2025 00:22

WearyCat · 01/12/2025 20:30

I’m still following, and though the discussions about the different types of stress or pressure are interesting, I’m not sure they’re ever resolvable because I imagine there are very few people who have been both a CEO/high earner familiar with the types of pressure detailed by some posters here, and also have the experience of being social workers, teachers, health professionals and so on- who absolutely do carry work around with them to their homes and holidays- actual physical work sometimes, or worries about children, patients, clients etc on other occasions- and often work very long hours. So I wasn’t trying to open a conversation about that here.

I am quite interested to know whether the high salary is worth it. I’ve noted a few posts which suggest that it may not be/have been for those posters. (Equally my own break from working in education was due to the pressures of that job, and I’ve taken steps to try and avoid getting to that sort of point ever again.) Or is it worth it to be financially secure- because financial insecurity is another source of toxic stress.

Can the body even distinguish between different types of toxic or chronic stress?

I think whoever who has made it and maintained a career in C Suite thrives on the stress that brings. It is good stress. Yes, C Suite shoulders an enormous amount of responsibility and ultimately buck stops with them so if there is a colossal fuck up somewhere along the chain, they may lose their job (and crucially, share options - as we don’t care about our salary, it’s our equity package that we fight hard for) because of it. That said, it rarely impacts future employability as everyone knows that’s just what happens and isn’t a reflection of your ability to do your job.

I know you talk about taking work home with you as a teacher but it’s just not the same. I have close family and friends who are teachers and have also been C Suite of an education business so I can compare to some degree.

I haven’t had a proper day off on annual leave for at least a decade. I am always available on email and for meetings, wherever I am in the world and whatever time zone. And there is always someone who needs to speak to me about something or run something past me.

But I don’t complain. I love being one of the ultimate decision makers and having a very prominent seat at the board room table. I’ve tried being a SAHM a few times between roles and enjoyed it for a few months before wanting the excitement and pressure again. Some people thrive under stress and pressure. The money is great, of course, but I don’t do it only for the money.

StruggleFlourish · 02/12/2025 01:16

Let me preface this by saying that I am NOT A high earner but due to some strange circumstances, I am in a social group in which I am surrounded by ex-high earners...
And from what they've told me over the years, they didn't do an awful lot.

I'm sure that the businesses did well under there so-called direction, but most of the work that was being done was being done by their subordinates, with their days mostly being filled with lunch meetings, dinner meetings, golf meetings, strip club meetings, bar meetings, vacation/resort meetings, etc.

More than 20 different guys in this group have all been top earners through a private corporation or self-employed and they all admit they did practically nothing but their success of their business was mostly due to hiring the best people who worked really really hard and made them lots of money

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 06:13

blueshoes · 01/12/2025 22:27

That's fine but that is why you are not paid the Big Bucks.

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Read the thread and find out that I am, in fact, paid the Big Bucks. And it is very telling that you apparently don't think it ispossible for a job to be well paid and not exploitative.

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 06:31

StressieBessy · 01/12/2025 23:58

It depends on the job but in my role (legal) I am the person with the highest level of experience and most developed skill set in the team. When I am away there is no such thing as a person who can step into my shoes.

Holiday cover is always a very imperfect compromise and the lawyers standing in for me don’t have the same knowledge of the case or experience so still need to consult me throughout the day; hence multiple calls, meetings and emails throughout most holidays. It is also what clients demand/expect when they are paying a very high hourly rate; they simply will not accept a stand in at critical moments.

The notion of downtime is something we give up when we take this sort of role.

Show quote history

So what happens if you break a leg or something and are unexpectedly incommunicado for a week? The whole place grinds to a halt? Having slack in the system is a good thing.

BurnoutGP · 02/12/2025 07:29

StruggleFlourish · 02/12/2025 01:16

Let me preface this by saying that I am NOT A high earner but due to some strange circumstances, I am in a social group in which I am surrounded by ex-high earners...
And from what they've told me over the years, they didn't do an awful lot.

I'm sure that the businesses did well under there so-called direction, but most of the work that was being done was being done by their subordinates, with their days mostly being filled with lunch meetings, dinner meetings, golf meetings, strip club meetings, bar meetings, vacation/resort meetings, etc.

More than 20 different guys in this group have all been top earners through a private corporation or self-employed and they all admit they did practically nothing but their success of their business was mostly due to hiring the best people who worked really really hard and made them lots of money

Sigh. But numerous people on this thread actually doing the job are telling you that's not true but sure your 20 strong group of ex CEO must be the real story.

Bubblesgun · 02/12/2025 07:52

CMOTDibbler · 01/12/2025 12:37

DH is a high earning CEO. It is very much 'the buck stops here' for him and everyone wants a piece of his time. He spends a lot of time thinking about 5, 10, 15 years out and how to grow and develop the company towards those goals and what it will take. That's both in terms of product/service, but 'if we are x size then, where will we get staff from - do we need to start training people for role y now so we have great people in 3 years. Then where could we put them, should we have an office in town z where there is a pool'. Or where could finance come from. Or 'this law is coming in which is related to our work, what could we do'.
He has a lot of meetings with his senior team to see that they are on track, support them, explain the vision to them and so on. Meetings with big clients to talk them through what is being delivered, make sure they are happy. Meetings to deal with escalated complaints. Meetings with potential clients
He does take people out to lunch once or twice a week - its an easier way to get in someones packed diary, lets you have a more discreet word sometimes, and builds a relationship better. But its not long boozy lunches by any means.
He works about 100 hours a week, and doesn't ever switch off. He loves it (mostly) though.

Yes and i would add when there is lunches nobody drinks! Because they have meeting to attend / chair afterwards.

@WearyCat you should see around Bank on a friday and compare it to the 90s/00s. Much less people drinking in the afternoon

edited to add original OP

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 08:02

I am not in the UK. I work for a major public body that is dependent on government funding. One of the metrics our performance is measured by is work/life balance and job satisfaction. In fact last week I was at a meeting devoted to a quality of working life survey for all staff, from the top down to cleaning and catering staff. It reads very... old-fashioned to me to expect staff to work round the clock and sacrifice their holidays. Why are these big companies not promoting good work-life balance for staff as part of their brand image?

Spacesthatsing · 02/12/2025 08:23

Lots of meetings back to back, no time for food unless eating during a meeting and that's not done as a rule, high expectations - can't let people down. Annoying: clients who keep expanding the brief despite fixed resources and times scales - creating increasingly impossible deadlines.

Networking/ building relationships - no golf (ever!) - coffee sometimes but mostly dinner or drinks which can be enjoyable, if you don't need to be home on time or you don't have a tight deadline looming.

On a good day - interesting new problems to solve - working with amazingly clever clients and making a difference.

Spacesthatsing · 02/12/2025 08:32

SlowDownHere · 29/11/2025 20:31

I think high earners have to make decisions and the buck stops with them. Having said that, I don’t think wages always reflect responsibility. I have a multi million pound budget and if I make a mistake, 60000 people won’t be able to work. I earn £50k

Maybe you should look for a new job - if your skills are sought after your salary should reflect that - the responsibility isn't what you re paid for, it's market, the price is set by skills availability.

ADogRocketShip · 02/12/2025 08:55

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 08:02

I am not in the UK. I work for a major public body that is dependent on government funding. One of the metrics our performance is measured by is work/life balance and job satisfaction. In fact last week I was at a meeting devoted to a quality of working life survey for all staff, from the top down to cleaning and catering staff. It reads very... old-fashioned to me to expect staff to work round the clock and sacrifice their holidays. Why are these big companies not promoting good work-life balance for staff as part of their brand image?

My company has an entire Wellness team, masses of collateral and marketing about perks of the job etc. We have a free onsite gym, PTs, nurse, physio etc. So on paper are doing a fantastic job in providing wellness to its employees.

But the workload is mental for those a few rungs up the ladder. So whilst its lovely to have a free onsite gym and PT I genuinely haven't used it for 18 months as I don't even have much time to grab a quick bite to eat.

I'm sure plenty of the grads, back office staff and junior staff would tell you a much more positive story than me, as they typically aren't taking the same complexity of work or in decision making roles.

Spacesthatsing · 02/12/2025 09:00

ADogRocketShip · 02/12/2025 08:55

My company has an entire Wellness team, masses of collateral and marketing about perks of the job etc. We have a free onsite gym, PTs, nurse, physio etc. So on paper are doing a fantastic job in providing wellness to its employees.

But the workload is mental for those a few rungs up the ladder. So whilst its lovely to have a free onsite gym and PT I genuinely haven't used it for 18 months as I don't even have much time to grab a quick bite to eat.

I'm sure plenty of the grads, back office staff and junior staff would tell you a much more positive story than me, as they typically aren't taking the same complexity of work or in decision making roles.

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Ds is a grad and his company spout all sorts of crap about work life balance, gyms, health - they might even have a daft pool table in the foyer (that should have been alarm bells). The reality is he's working and studying every spare minute he gets - not convinced he'll last beyond a year - because the pressure and workload is insane. We are trying to support him as much as possible but if I was being honest - I think it's too much and he should leave but that's his decision.

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:12

The hustle and grind culture is so toxic. Who does it serve to have your brightest employees permanently exhausted and on the verge of burnout?

KateMiskin · 02/12/2025 09:20

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:12

The hustle and grind culture is so toxic. Who does it serve to have your brightest employees permanently exhausted and on the verge of burnout?

Beats posting on here that your husband has left you for a 22 year old leaving you with nothing. Beats being on benefits because your wage is too low.

Worth it for me. We need more women earning well.

estrogone · 02/12/2025 09:31

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:12

The hustle and grind culture is so toxic. Who does it serve to have your brightest employees permanently exhausted and on the verge of burnout?

I agree. But for those of us that are self employed it's a necessity.

If you are lucky enough to do something you enjoy it can feel less intense and not toxic. Take today for me, I started at 7am. Had a short coffee break at about 9.30am then worked to though to 8pm. It did not feel like a grind - I was completely absorbed in the task - refining a digital strategy and writing a paper seeking approval for an emergency change of the strategy. The rest of the day was spent on Governance - appointment of new board members and policy writing in preparation for an external audit. I enjoy the work and am good at so I feel happy.

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:43

KateMiskin · 02/12/2025 09:20

Beats posting on here that your husband has left you for a 22 year old leaving you with nothing. Beats being on benefits because your wage is too low.

Worth it for me. We need more women earning well.

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Those are not the only 2 options. Women who earn well should model healthy life work balance for their juniors IMO.

KateMiskin · 02/12/2025 09:46

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:43

Those are not the only 2 options. Women who earn well should model healthy life work balance for their juniors IMO.

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Who defines healthy though? I like working. I enjoy my work.

Women should model not being reliant on anyone, including the state, IMO. If they can.

godmum56 · 02/12/2025 09:47

FuckRealityBringMeABook · 02/12/2025 09:12

The hustle and grind culture is so toxic. Who does it serve to have your brightest employees permanently exhausted and on the verge of burnout?

the statement upthread about the worst stress being felt by people who feel powerless is a very important point. I think a lot of the high earners are people who can see how things can be done better and feel driven to achieve those improvements....actually this can apply to the less high earners too. For the last few years before I retired from the NHS, my job changed a lot because I was one of those people who could see how services could be improved and was willing to put myself out there to do it. It was rolling a huge rock and in the grand scheme of things, I didn't get far but its satisfying to see what has been built on the foundations I started to lay.
I don't disagree that the culture of hustle and grind exists but its not the whole story.