November 19, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Achievement Unlocked: Balance 0
November 20, 2014 at 1:48 am
I find that taking time off is a little different when working freelance, however, many of the pressures are the same as permanent staff. Especially the more I think about it.
Freelancers often are concerned that every day off is a day unpaid when you could be sitting at home without work at any time. On the other hand I have seen permanent members of staff concerned that if they take "too much" holiday then they too will be sitting at home without work. Nice one employers - permanent employees should not feel this way.
On why people go to work when they don't have to (as opposed to why they don't take the time off), I think that this is the same for everyone; we all want the work done, the projects delivered, the users satisfied, the checks in the boxes. It is similar, but rarely even close to as altruistic, as emergency services personnel who turn up because they believe that they are needed and can make a difference.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
November 20, 2014 at 2:01 am
I've been sitting with negative leave days available since July (about -0.5 at this point). No one in management is complaining, no pointed hints that I need to work more. Oh, and I'm about to put in leave requests for another 3 days off.
One thing I learned years ago, there will always be more work than there is time to do it in. Not taking time off because 'Project X needs to be finished' is foolish, after Project X is finished, there will be Y, Z, A, B, .....
Gail Shaw
Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability
November 20, 2014 at 2:07 am
I had a bit of a problem - I'd used up all my leave and needed another day off (going abroad to see my daughter). Fortunately (?) we had a payroll problem and I had to work 7:30 pm till 2:00 am on top of my normal day. I've now got my time off - yea :crazy:
-------------------------------Posting Data Etiquette - Jeff Moden [/url]Smart way to ask a question
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand (the world). There is no such thing as a dumb question. ― Carl Sagan
I would never join a club that would allow me as a member - Groucho Marx
November 20, 2014 at 2:37 am
GilaMonster (11/20/2014)
I've been sitting with negative leave days available since July (about -0.5 at this point). No one in management is complaining, no pointed hints that I need to work more. Oh, and I'm about to put in leave requests for another 3 days off.One thing I learned years ago, there will always be more work than there is time to do it in. Not taking time off because 'Project X needs to be finished' is foolish, after Project X is finished, there will be Y, Z, A, B, .....
Very well said.
November 20, 2014 at 2:54 am
GilaMonster (11/20/2014)
I've been sitting with negative leave days available since July (about -0.5 at this point). No one in management is complaining, no pointed hints that I need to work more. Oh, and I'm about to put in leave requests for another 3 days off.One thing I learned years ago, there will always be more work than there is time to do it in. Not taking time off because 'Project X needs to be finished' is foolish, after Project X is finished, there will be Y, Z, A, B, .....
I have just put in a bunch load of extra hours for two months to get a project in (sorry about the grammer ;-)) and now I have just seen another call to arms for a different project!!!
Too much being attempted in too short a time frame with the number of people to hand?
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
November 20, 2014 at 4:07 am
I have normally no problem here for getting day's off, or for taking holiday at all. When you have young kids it's for us cheaper to take the time off to be with them than to send them somewhere to be taken care of. And I have to admit that taking time off and go and do something with your son or daughter is good fun.
I think that we are fortunate in the UK with a great holiday system, flexi time and sick pay. We don't have to be afraid that we can't take time off when we need it in an emergency situation. This does not mean that we take the time off and don't care about projects, it does mean that you can concentrate on them and know that you are OK when something comes up.
Next holiday is booked, 2 weeks around Christmas and New Year.
November 20, 2014 at 4:44 am
Gary Varga (11/20/2014)
<snip>
Too much being attempted in too short a time frame with the number of people to hand?
and ain't that the truth !
-------------------------------Posting Data Etiquette - Jeff Moden [/url]Smart way to ask a question
There are naive questions, tedious questions, ill-phrased questions, questions put after inadequate self-criticism. But every question is a cry to understand (the world). There is no such thing as a dumb question. ― Carl Sagan
I would never join a club that would allow me as a member - Groucho Marx
November 20, 2014 at 4:49 am
erwin.oosterhoorn (11/20/2014)
I have normally no problem here for getting day's off, or for taking holiday at all. When you have young kids it's for us cheaper to take the time off to be with them than to send them somewhere to be taken care of. And I have to admit that taking time off and go and do something with your son or daughter is good fun.I think that we are fortunate in the UK with a great holiday system, flexi time and sick pay. We don't have to be afraid that we can't take time off when we need it in an emergency situation. This does not mean that we take the time off and don't care about projects, it does mean that you can concentrate on them and know that you are OK when something comes up.
Next holiday is booked, 2 weeks around Christmas and New Year.
Definitely believe that in the UK (where I am too) that the balance is about right at most places. The US seems a little bit too little consideration towards life in the work/life balance, France perhaps leans too much to life.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
November 20, 2014 at 5:57 am
I only don't think that the US is too geared toward life in the work/life balance. I've seen lots of lost vacation time by others and I've been guilty of it once myself. However, if you have vacation time, you should be allowed to use it. Like Gail said, after Project X, there will be Y, Z, A, B, etc. They never stop coming, but that's a good thing. It sure beats the alternative.
I figure my daughter will only be 12 once in her life. After that, it's gone forever. You can call me mushy, but I choose to spend time with her and enjoy it. Fatherhood is important.
November 20, 2014 at 6:09 am
Ed Wagner (11/20/2014)
...I figure my daughter will only be 12 once in her life. After that, it's gone forever. You can call me mushy, but I choose to spend time with her and enjoy it. Fatherhood is important.
Too true. I have had a general rule of no weekend work but I am prepared to do long days. This was based on that some places where I worked the commute was long enough that it was touch and go whether I saw the kids each day but I always had the weekends. If I had to work extra and missed 15-30 minutes with them during the week then I more than made up for it by being at home all weekend.
I also found that, for me, this was a more sustainable way of working more hours. Also people are often surprised when you can add around 8 hours a day by doing something like turning up at 6am and leaving at 11pm, bringing in lunch and dinner to eat at the desk. I do not recommend working like this but I have found it handy in the past for a short term. Any longer and productivity plummets.
And I'll stick to calling you Ed, if that's OK with you.
Gaz
-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!
November 20, 2014 at 6:12 am
However I decided this year that I should buckle down and get this done. I'm proud to say that I spent about an hour working on the task and got it done.
What was the task? Taking all my vacation.
You spent an hour taking all your vacation?
Hopefully you had more than an hour at your disposal. 🙂
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
November 20, 2014 at 6:25 am
However I decided this year that I should buckle down and get this done. I'm proud to say that I spent about an hour working on the task and got it done.
What was the task? Taking all my vacation.
You spent an hour taking all your vacation?
Hopefully you had more than an hour at your disposal. [Smile]
I hope this "hour" is not taken for hacking the HR database and removing the vacation time left... (just kidding) 😀
November 20, 2014 at 6:33 am
I envy all you salary folks; being a full-time+ hourly worker, anytime I spend PTO, my pay check plummets.
And since I have a migraine issue, I have to keep a balance around in case of emergencies.
That said, I do have almost two weeks off at the end of the year so I can officiate my sister's wedding and spend time with all the family that will be in town for the event.
But it is going to hurt.
November 20, 2014 at 6:35 am
"You work to live, you don't live to work." I like it.
Most of the people in my IT department, including myself, seem to end up the year with vacation. This year I vowed to be better at taking time off. I still ended up having to take a week in October and yet to finish out my last week the first of December. My wife seems happier about me actually taking the time off. I just have to force myself to not think about work. There is always plenty of that when I return from my vacations (or sometimes staycations as I don't go anywhere).
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