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Forget checking your BlackBerry or iPhone after hours. Forget 7 a.m. breakfast meetings. Forget giving that high-profile keynote speech at the leading industry conference two time zones away.
According to a recent Forbes piece by Hannah Seligson, some burned-out executives have gone from considering 2 a.m. "prime e-mailing time" and vacations "a different setting in which to work" to reclaiming the 8-hour workday.
Sure, clocking out at 5 p.m. on the dot each day and guarding your personal time like a hawk has its potential professional pitfalls (letting down your team, not being assigned plum projects, being bypassed for that big promotion). But having already paid their dues and worked themselves silly, the executives Seligson interviewed decided that seizing the life that had been passing them by was now priority number one.
Most of us who've been in the workforce a few years know that managers who have a good grip on their own work/life balance (in other words, those who aren't up at 2 a.m. answering e-mail) tend to be more supportive of their team having a life outside work. They've probably even caught wind of the fact that a person's productivity takes a nosedive when they only sleep 5 hours a night.
Of course, as Seligson's article points out, in an economy like this, many employees -- execs and non-execs alike -- are working harder than ever thanks to corporate budget cuts. When you're thankful to have a job at all, you certainly aren't going to complain too loudly about all that extra work being heaped on your plate or the sleep deprivation you're suffering as a result.
Still, hearing anecdotes about executives who've decided to just say no to the 24/7 hamster wheel warms my (sleepy, overworked) heart. Perhaps when the job market finally steadies itself, we'll hear from more bigwigs who've realized that there's more to life than having a bunch of plaques on the wall and a couple extra cars in the garage.
Freelance writer Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail her at ninetothrive@nwjobs.com.
By Keith on June 5, 2009 1:06 PM
When you have narcolepsy like I do, not sleeping is really *not* an option. Americans work too damn much, and instead of working smarter and being more productive, everyone burns themselves out.
Sleep more, it will NOT make you less productive!
By Ryan M on June 6, 2009 2:07 PM
There was a time when I worked 10 to 12 hours a day. I had loyalty to the company that emplyed me and I tried to do everything I could to make that company succesful. However after working for this company for over 17 years I was let go. My job was moved to Singapore so the company could get a tax break from the Singaporean goverment. Bottom line...my job went away due to corporate greed. I am working for a new company now but I just try to put in my 8 hours. I have regrets in giving so much of my time and my life to a company only to have them toss me out after they were done with me.
By james kirk on June 7, 2009 5:07 PM
It is time to re-evaluate what we are doing as workers and bosses. Much work these days is damage repair because of fatigue. It is time to forget the computer, cell phone, crackberry ect. plus the ipod evermind. Let's back off. It's not helping productivity-but just a lot of tired people.
By Thomas on June 8, 2009 6:54 AM
Bravo! I have been saying this for years as I watch my close friends in the corporate world work themselves into nervous wrecks. For what? To pay off huge mortgages and fancy cars? They have no life outside of work. They don't even have time to keep up on world events, much less local events. They don't even have time left over each day to enjoy the toys they can afford with their hard work. Vacation is nothing but an extension of their work lives. Americans should take a lesson from our South American neighbors and discover the mid-day siesta. Everyone now, put your heads down on your desk and close your eyes! :-)