We all face similar situations like that of Rick at work. I thought of examining what can be done if you ever find yourself stuck like Rick. So I created a list of some relevant facts that you need to be aware of:
Fact # 1─There is nothing wrong to oblige to such requests if they carry a win-win situation for you and your boss.
Generally, one should be flexible and willing to work beyond that 9 hour workshift if it’s temporary. But there comes a point when you can push back. Rick’s situation falls right under that blanket.
Exceptions: When you were told beforehand that your job profile would call for such occasional time stretches. Examples include touring with a band, handling outbound customer requests, meeting immediate deadlines, etc. Remember that if you signed up a contract that stated the exact conditions you were requested to work under by your employer, then there is little that you can do to avoid it.
Fact # 2─A good manager will always stand right beside you.
He will be willing to shed the same amount of sweat at the daily work ritual as you do. He knows that you and he are like a team where the captain and his team members have different roles to play and work together until the end.
Remember that not many managers will share this kind of attitude and those who don’t will suffer the grunt in a way that will backfire on them at some point of time.
Fact # 3─Yes you can go on and talk to your boss about not working overtime.
And if that works then Kudos!! You have solved the problem. No need to worry. Except for the fact that you are not sure how your manager will take that. Right? Well, that you have to see from your end. You can ask your co-workers about the attitude of you manager with past employees about such work related issues.
If you can convey to him that a real gap do exists in you being productive and you working overtime then it would be sufficient for him to look for alternatives, without you hurting your rep.
Fact # 4─Always be prepared to listen to NO.
Sometimes you need to go under the grain. But let him convince you with the fact that it is required of you to stay and that work will be proportionately distributed among all who can do it. This means you are not the only one who is making a sacrifice here but everyone else is also on the same road.
In such a situation I think it won’t be good for you to back down. If you do that it will instantly provide you the fame of an unprofessional employee at work. One that may stick until your next promotion. In this case you need to ask yourself if you really want to stick with the company or not.
Finally, you can initiate a talk with your boss by saying something like this.
“Hey!! I wanted to talk to you about that upcoming project. Can you please tell me what extra hours are we expected to give into that project. My limit is around 8-10 hours per week and anything beyond that starts affecting my productivity negatively.”
Just wait for his answer and carry on the conversation considering the above mentioned points. And you would be good to go.
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