Working 9-6

[DogLove3]

Is this normal nowadays? I’m 24, and only graduated last summer. I currently work in a 8:30-5 role, 4 days remote and 1 day from the office. I’ve been recruited for an amazing opportunity in an industry that I’ve always wanted to work in, however it’s 9-6, with over an hour commute on either side, 3 days in the office. Do you think it’s advisable to stick it out for 6 months and then look for something with a better work-life balance? Or will future employers wonder why I’m yo-yo-ing between jobs so quickly?

It’s not unusual in a lot of industries believe me, including journalism. Especially when you’re establishing yourself. Most people are fine.

Agree with PP's that 9-6pm are dream hours. Most people with 'careers' work far longer hours than that. You might find that if you want to progress OP you're going to have to put in a lot more than you think you are.

I think you don't seem ready for this opportunity - you signed a contract without considering your options properly, maybe you've learnt where your limitations lie and can start choosing options more suited to your desired level of commitment.

It doesn't sound particularly long hours for a good graduate job if you want to progress, and only 3 days in the office a week is a good deal.

@Angelonthewall give the woman a break, she's 24, the contract does not bind her for life, she's just asking a question.

I doubt she’s bound by the contract - she can walk away, few companies would ever pursue her - which seems like a good idea given the way she’s thinking - she freely entered into something she can’t cope with - she should walk away and let someone else get the opportunity.

@Angelonthewall oh get a bloody grip, stop being so intentionally nasty, nothing about her posts says she can't cope, she's merely asking if this is normal because they are long days (and they ARE long days) She's not long out of education, I remember how long 9-5 felt in my first full time job, I coped fine but doesn't mean it wasn't an adjustment.

When I was working in my profession I never had set hours, it was necessary to do what ever was required and I always worked at least 9-6 with well over an hours commute each way, five days a week. I managed this for almost thirty years. I am bewildered that a 24 year old cannot manage that three days a week. I thought journalism was very competitive and I cannot see how you are going to make it if you want to work 9-5.

Does no one here seriously remember what it was like graduating? I worked bloody hard in my 20s, but I still remember that crushing feeling when I found out I wasn't going to get a 1 hour lunch break! (And that it wasn't paid!) I remember how daunting working 9-5 felt at the start having done 9-3 most of my life to a third of that in uni.

I guess it's more fun to pile on a young woman.

If you are questioning long hours - before you even engage in a competitive career, it might not be the career for you. It's worth being aware of what you want, what you are capable of and what's important to you and if a short working day is important, there's nothing wrong with that but it would be better to find a career/employer that could facilitate this. It would be better for the OP to be realistic about her goals and needs - the river won't rise to meet her.

My kids are at Uni and they work bloody hard - certainly not restricted to a third of 9-3. They are often at the library at 9pm, they work their butts off.

get a public sector job that had flexi time. I don't plan to work past 4pm ever again!

I think 40hr weeks are becoming normal though.

Lol @ the replies about worijg 438473 hours per week.

My kids are at Uni and they work bloody hard - certainly not restricted to a third of 9-3. They are often at the library at 9pm, they work their butts off.

that sounds dull! my uni days were a lot more relaxed.

You might find that folks in law, banking, accountancy, consultancy, tech, various entrepreneurial pursuits - and others - may work those kinds of hours. Just to put things in perspective.

yes, which is why burnout is a thing in those roles.

My first job was 35hrs a week, and over time this seems to have gradually crept up. Am now contracted for 40 hours.

At no point has it ever been the contracted hours though - I probably work fewer hours in practice now with my 40 contracted hours than when I was contracted for 35.

I'm with the op - the way society glorifies working hours is nuts! All I can say is if you can get experience while you are young and full of energy (I'm over 30 and knackered!!) to pave the way for better options re working hours as you get older and progress. I now have a senior management wfh 8:30-5 job and can be choosy with roles. I am still crushingly disappointed when I have to skip my lunch/have a week of expected longer hours/am expected to travel- petulant attitude I know, but being honest! Get on with it but nothing wrong with acknowledging the negatives!

What are the actual contract hours - 40 or 45?
I'm wondering if 9-6 includes a paid lunch hour, or even if it's 40h/8h per day but they are allowing an hour for unpaid lunch, in which case if insist on taking a shorter lunch and leaving earlier

This is why young people get slated. If you’re given an opportunity you take it and you work extra to progress. I’m twice your age and work longer hours than that. Admittedly only commute 2 or 3 days now (1.5 hours each way) but have done 4 pre covid.
And maybe it’s not great but you make the choice depending on the career you choose. Otherwise let a young person who really wants a start in the industry have the job.

It's not about glorifying long working hours it's being realistic about what you want from your working life. If you want max 35hr working week there's nothing wrong with that - but it won't work with certain careers and I expect journalism is one of them.

9-6 plus a commute is a long day with little time for anything else. I don't think the French people would be putting up with that.

Most jobs are 37.5 hours a week. The longest I've had is 40, but this was bearable as lunch was 30 minutes and the working hours and days were very flexible (7 day business). Most people accrued lots of TOIL this way due to the automatic clock in system.

Mumsnet seems to be full of professionals who are very senior yet don't have to work long hours - that's not the reality of most people I know in senior positions across a variety of industries - my sister has one of these jobs, she boasts about it frequently - seems to spend her entire life shopping...I have no idea how she maintains it.

35 hour work. I've worked 36.25 and 37.5.