Let’s just say that overall I don’t have too many complaints, I’m happy with how much I’m paid, but my priorities have changed and I need more work/ life balance. I would like to dedicate myself more to my family, but the offers I received mean that I would be paid much worse. Obviously it is not possible to be well paid and have enough time for your private life.
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@7vkh+1eHJdj6d, that is hands down the best advice or reply I’ve ever read here. Absolutely right about the company and the separation made between that and coworkers. The most unappreciated asset is the one being evaluated by something of lesser value than yourself
While you figure it out, there’s some things you can do to lessen the blow of this problem. Number 1, do not work weekends or nights. Don’t procrastinate. Take a deep breath and avoid responding to emails immediately so you can always give a bland, even friendly but not passive-aggressive response. Then, spend at least 20% of your work day on something you’re passionate about. Lunch is lunch, I’m talking work day. 20% is the minimum. Figure out how to do parts of your job faster/more productive/what is repetitive and can be put in a template or automated. And don’t tell anyone. The time you save is yours. Basically, treat the company like it treats you. Not your coworkers, the company. You are nothing but an asset. There’s a lot of work-life balance resources, also look at those and use it/participate. You need to put yourself first, but in a strategic way.
Unfortunately, in my 15 years at Oxy there has been little work/life balance. Much time is wasted in meetings and the rest of the time is spent figuring out how to navigate the bloated heads of your coworkers as to not offend them. The people that work smart are not rewarded at Oxy, just given more work with equivalent pay. The company does not care about work life balance or they would have kept more WFH days.
Learn to say the following word…..NO.
There's a reason why oil/gas pays so much, it requires a lot more time dedicated. I'd focus on developing either a side hustle to pivot out of Oxy or look into gaining skils to pivot into tech (or really any other industry), where there's more emphasis on work/life balance and the bo-m/bust cycle is more mangeable. Project management is popular across industries.
Work life balance in large corporations is unequivocally always going to lean on work and less on life. Come to terms with it. That doesn’t make the people above you bad, it just draws the necessary lines. Those that start the company are working every day and every hour. Those that pick up on someone else’s work on are putting in the same effort but with a different goal or aim. The “11th Hour” bu-----t and the death of a dying dynasty. Don’t give anymore than you should but don’t lay up and be lazy as the latter will weigh heavily on a good conscience.
In terms of the criticism this post will draw, do what you think you need too. “Unclean Hands” will ultimately be brought into the light and your line of bu-----t won’t hold up. If anything, please continue to affirm your belief in the current system, it only makes you look more foolish in the end.
A ‘good work / life balance’ is hype. Focus on earning money now as a means of providing for your family; that is #1. Then, once you have retired (financially independent) you can focus on the family.
Sure it is. Just don’t expect a promotion.
Keep asking the 'Piper Alpha didnt happen, its not a fact, and we will tell ourselves any lies we have to to make ourselves feel better about someone else pointing out everything that is wrong with the company and its staff' group for advice on right and wrong.
The previous response was somewhat correct, but could be said with a less insulting tone. Yes, you need to work with your spouse and the two of you should agree on where that balance between work hours and family should be. Having said that, you will go through seasons where you must put in more time into your work than you are comfortable with. My experience has been there’s no way around that. if you find that the work hours that you or your spouse have crosses the line on a permanent basis, you will have to decide whether you can live with that or whether you can adjust your family budget. Sorry, there is no easy answer to this question.
Grow up my friend with your quest for a good work/life balance. What are you like 18 years old or something. Perhaps you are older and don’t have kids. There is a time period you will find where the job comes first because you have to provide and plan for your family unless you don’t have a family then you can be as immature as you want about where work fits into your life.