Working life

eeguy

Danonino. wrote: »

"Ah remember your man who worked all the time and didn't spend anything?"

"I do yeah, he was some craic"

Priorities. Some people don't care what others think. Don't care if some lad thinks they're no craic.
You can spend your time being a full time mad bastard and a total legend, if that's where your priorities lie.

Lia_lia

Pwindedd wrote: »

I like my 9-5 office "drudgery". It gives me a purpose. The work stimulates my brain on a daily basis. In exchange I get money to feed, clothe and entertain myself in my free time. Time off from work is treasured and anticipated with delight of course, but if left to my own devices for too long with no purpose I slowly start to become unhinged. Maybe I'm just lucky in that the 9-5 life suits me, I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I agree with this. I like my job. Don't love it and can't see myself doing it for my whole life. But I generally look forward to going to work in the mornings. An extra day off at the weekend would be nice though.

I actually would hate not to work. Would go mad. I used to work part-time during school/college and full-time during the school/college holidays. I'd have every January off as the college was closed and so was the hotel I worked in. Always dreaded it. The first few days were great but then the boredom would be awful. I very rarely take sick days as I dislike sitting at home all day. Luckily I never really get sick but most of my colleagues take a whole week off if they have a cold. :rolleyes:

I completely understand where the OP is coming from and I think the people saying "what's the alternative" are somewhat missing the point. It's a case of questioning why society is designed this way.

Full-time work takes up the majority of our time for five days out of seven. Not just the 9-5 hours at work but the time it takes to commute, get ready, etc. The remaining two days are spent trying to catch up on sleep, do housework, shopping, etc, and somehow also find time for our own activities. The problem is that work is the focal point of an average person's life, and everything else has to slot around it.

I think the point the OP is making is that there should be a balance, and society should be working towards that rather than accepting what we've got. It's not a case of being lazy or not wanting to work, but work should be just one aspect of life. I think a four day week would allow workers to get a proper rest, and potentially share the work across more people which would generate additional employment. At the moment it seems you either have time or money but not both, and I think we should be striving for a more balanced lifestyle.

Personally I have been working full time continuously for the last 11 years and I'm shattered. I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Four weeks of annual leave is just not enough, and work restricts your freedom so much. I would love to take a sabbatical but I would need to quit my job to do it, and it's frowned upon to leave your job with nothing lined up. The thought of being stuck in the 9-5 grind for the next 30 years of my life is downright depressing. I'm not lazy and I completely accept that everyone should work to support themselves, but I don't believe we should be required to give over as much of our lives to work as we currently do.

Thespoofer

Flying Fox wrote: »

I completely understand where the OP is coming from and I think the people saying "what's the alternative" are somewhat missing the point. It's a case of questioning why society is designed this way.

Full-time work takes up the majority of our time for five days out of seven. Not just the 9-5 hours at work but the time it takes to commute, get ready, etc. The remaining two days are spent trying to catch up on sleep, do housework, shopping, etc, and somehow also find time for our own activities. The problem is that work is the focal point of an average person's life, and everything else has to slot around it.

I think the point the OP is making is that there should be a balance, and society should be working towards that rather than accepting what we've got. It's not a case of being lazy or not wanting to work, but work should be just one aspect of life. I think a four day week would allow workers to get a proper rest, and potentially share the work across more people which would generate additional employment. At the moment it seems you either have time or money but not both, and I think we should be striving for a more balanced lifestyle.

Personally I have been working full time continuously for the last 11 years and I'm shattered. I feel like a hamster on a wheel. Four weeks of annual leave is just not enough, and work restricts your freedom so much. I would love to take a sabbatical but I would need to quit my job to do it, and it's frowned upon to leave your job with nothing lined up. The thought of being stuck in the 9-5 grind for the next 30 years of my life is downright depressing. I'm not lazy and I completely accept that everyone should work to support themselves, but I don't believe we should be required to give over as much of our lives to work as we currently do.

Well said.

marcus001

I don't envy those who spend their lives on welfare. I'd happily throw them all in a big sack and drop it in the Liffey, but getting up every morning is good for you. Socialising with colleagues is good for you. Having a sense of achievement at the end of a hard day's work is good for you.

People who don't work have nothing. If you think 9-5 in work is a waste of time, try 12-12 with nothing to do except browse the internet, consume media that doesn't matter and wait for your friends to get off work. Unless you have young children in which case you may have your hands full, but in the absence of something to keep your mind occupied any reasonably intelligent person would become depressed and listless.

Also, any reasonably intelligent person on welfare - and they do exist - must know on some level that they're a parasite and it has to eat away at them.

bear1

What ****s me right off is that you spend hours upon hours day after day to get that pay check and only for half to be taken in fecking bills.
Then you think ah this month I can save something and that's the month when something expensive will happen and you're eating rice for the next 21 days.
Money is ****e.

erica74

Like many other posters in this thread, I would like to work a shorter week but not lose out on money:)
It's well known that if you allow an employee to work a 4 day week, they will cram 5 days work into 4 for fear of losing their 4 day week so it ends up working very favourably for the employer too.

At the moment I work 5 days a week, 8 to 4, with great flexibility with the hours. This is the most freedom I've ever had in a job, with nobody breathing down my neck asking me to account for every minute of my day, and in turn, it's the job I have been happiest in. In previous jobs, I would have to account for every single second, which makes you want to waste more time to be spiteful and makes you dread the hours and the days.
I am in an office with one other person and we run a department together. We get on great, we look out for each other and we have a similar work ethic. We can have a laugh but also can happily work away in silence. We work really hard because we're happy in our little team together and nobody is hassling us all day.
I don't want to stay in this job forever and I am doing a part-time course in college in order to move upwards but, for now, I'm happy.

erica74

bear1 wrote: »

What ****s me right off is that you spend hours upon hours day after day to get that pay check and only for half to be taken in fecking bills.
Then you think ah this month I can save something and that's the month when something expensive will happen and you're eating rice for the next 21 days.
Money is ****e.

Definitely agree with this!!

Danonino.

eeguy wrote: »

Priorities. Some people don't care what others think. Don't care if some lad thinks they're no craic.
You can spend your time being a full time mad bastard and a total legend, if that's where your priorities lie.

I don't think you got what I was joking about. Someone who sacrifices massive parts of what makes life enjoyable for the pursuit of money are not heroes, when the amount they have is into the realms of being just a figure. They have no want for money, they are in many cases set for life but continue to work on that nest egg. Workaholics, but for the pursuit of money and money alone. That's not priorities, that's an illness.

There is a massive, massive area inbetween 'being a full time mad bastard and a total legend" and neglecting aspects of life like social interaction and family in the pursuit of money.

Spend some time with Huey, Dewey and Louie

eeguy

Danonino. wrote: »

I don't think you got what I was joking about. Someone who sacrifices massive parts of what makes life enjoyable for the pursuit of money are not heroes, when the amount they have is into the realms of being just a figure. They have no want for money, they are in many cases set for life but continue to work on that nest egg. Workaholics, but for the pursuit of money and money alone. That's not priorities, that's an illness.

There is a massive, massive area inbetween 'being a full time mad bastard and a total legend" and neglecting aspects of life like social interaction and family in the pursuit of money.

Spend some time with Huey, Dewey and Louie

Again, what you find enjoyable may not be what he finds enjoyable. If you love your work then its not work. So being a workaholic isn't a problem. Would it be a problem if he spent 12 hours a day fishing?
Who said he neglects social interactions? Warren Buffet is not a recluse. He separated from his wife until her death, then remarried.

All work isn't equal. If you hate your job and its going nowhere then quit. And don't give sh#t like you have bills to pay etc... You work for near 50 years of your life. It only takes a few years to retrain, so short term pain results in long term gain.

Ulysses Gaze

eeguy wrote: »

Priorities. Some people don't care what others think. Don't care if some lad thinks they're no craic.
You can spend your time being a full time mad bastard and a total legend, if that's where your priorities lie.

Usually it is in their own minds....

Danonino.

Danonino. wrote: »

I does work and can work but a lot of employers aren't open to the idea or with having an extra staff member to cover hours.

One staff member Mon - Thu
Another Tues - Fri

Things like that.
Many people enjoy the Mon-Fri and the pay/security/routine that comes with that. Personally, 4 days would be exactly what I would like. I'd happily take the hit in wage for the reduced working hours. Many wouldn't, I have the freedom where the hit wouldn't affect me (I'd be very happy to sacrifice the extra disposable for the time to spend on my inexpensive hobbies), I'm sure there are folk who would find the difference not worth the free time trade off. 48 days a year is a lot of hours unpaid, could make a fairly big change to a lot of people's disposable income and how they spend that which is understandable. Different strokes different folk.

I don't think there needs to be a reduction in the hours worked and thus the pay in order to work a shorter week. It's very easy to fit 5 days into 4 days work, just 2 hrs extra a day and you have an extra 8 hrs made up.

Also working from home a day a week or what ever needs to not only be supported but encouraged. A 4 day week, with 3 in the office and one at home (thus no commute etc) would make for a much more balance life but with no loss in productivity, in fact it might only increase it as I like many work much more efficiently when time is more limited.

Danonino.

eeguy wrote: »

Again, what you find enjoyable may not be what he finds enjoyable. If you love your work then its not work. So being a workaholic isn't a problem. Would it be a problem if he spent 12 hours a day fishing?
Who said he neglects social interactions? Warren Buffet is not a recluse. He separated from his wife until her death, then remarried.

All work isn't equal. If you hate your job and its going nowhere then quit. And don't give sh#t like you have bills to pay etc... You work for near 50 years of your life. It only takes a few years to retrain, so short term pain results in long term gain.

I wasn't talking about Warren Buffett directly in the second post, I also wasn't talking about myself, or you. I was joking about how the pursuit of money and ignoring the finer things in life is sad, then tried to explain myself.

Wait.... you're not him are you?
That'd be weird


Edit: I grew up with a workaholic, it's not normal and I'm glad I don't have an unhealthy obsession with money. Again I'm not talking directly about anyone, just voicing my opinion.

Jesus Wept

It's a ponzi scheme. The same people who complain/dislike being overworked, overstretched and underpaid are the ones who will berate those who don't jump on the bottom rung below them.

Trying to convince some that they should do the thing you do which you hate/would like to do less of simply because you do it.

Knex. wrote: »

Honestly? I thought it was absolute balls. Never has a movie contrived to be so far up its own hoop, and pull it off with such nauseating success.

m8. He was such a knob.

timthumbni wrote: »

I have heard loads of my colleagues asking what would they do all day if they weren't working. I can think of a thousand things. I think sometimes most people just accept their fate like the workers in 1984. It's sad and bull****.

I like your post btw as it reminded me that One of the first things stangers ask me in a bar for instance is what do I work as. It's an inbuilt habit and I really dislike it. I personally don't give a feck what anyone does as a job.

Job descriptions as self descriptions.

Bobeagleburger

Find a new job OP. One that has more favourable hours. 4 and 1/2 days or work from home (if possible in your work). Depending on your line of work there may be other options.

Regarding working 6 days a week, every week.. **** that.

Irish_rat

I work 12hr shifts in the same job now for over 10 years and have a year down in college. I can tell you going back to education really opens your eyes again to the talent you can possess. You can doubt yourself after years in the same position.

I don't mind the work but I get the point that it sucks up alot of time. For me it's a reason to get up in the morning, I've a house and car out of the years I've put down. But you need to ensure you spend your days off outdoors and enjoying life otherwise it can pass you quickly.

Snugglebunnies

Ulysses Gaze wrote:

Most people don't ever find that.

I've found it! Unfortunately it doesn't pay very well though.

John_Rambo

There's a girl on my team that works four days a week but does five days work in those four days with no extra hours. She's just focused, dilligent and smart and hits all her deadlines and targets. When she worked five days a week she wasn't as productive in that given time.

...And Justice

Id like to say on paper that im "comfortable " but between us we take in 100k gross, net pay is a whole other pain. Mortgage and the bills. There's not much left after you send your teens off to school.

Middle society me hole.....squashed fcukung flies more like. Raped of finances at every opportunity to fund a dysfunctional system.

Leo better get his finger out and do something

seachto7

...And Justice wrote: »

Id like to say on paper that im "comfortable " but between us we take in 100k gross, net pay is a whole other pain. Mortgage and the bills. There's not much left after you send your teens off to school.

Middle society me hole.....squashed fcukung flies more like. Raped of finances at every opportunity to fund a dysfunctional system.

Leo better get his finger out and do something

I'm on €35k in Dublin and find it hard to save. (No kids)

donegaLroad

There is a lot of talk in the last 10 years or so, about the squeezed middle class and the 'working poor'. Increased work-loads with no increase in pay.

Three weeks ago I read in the paper about a car dealership in Dublin who is an agent for Porsche cars. Such is the increase in demand for Porsche cars that they have decided to expand their dealership to the tune of (wait for it) €20 million. That figure must include fleet value now that I think of it, but none-the-less I was shocked. There are no Porsche dealerships near where I live.

It reminded me of this youtube video I watched a few years ago. This is an observation on wealth distribution in the USA. Bear in mind that the average middle class American worker is earning the same wage as they did 20 years ago, but the cost of living has steadily increased. There is a widening gap between those who are very wealthy, and those who are not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPKKQnijnsM

Ubbquittious

donegaLroad wrote: »

There is a lot of talk in the last 10 years or so, about the squeezed middle class and the 'working poor'. Increased work-loads with no increase in pay.

Three weeks ago I read in the paper about a car dealership in Dublin who is an agent for Porsche cars. Such is the increase in demand for Porsche cars that they have decided to expand their dealership to the tune of (wait for it) €20 million. That figure must include fleet value now that I think of it, but none-the-less I was shocked. There are no Porsche dealerships near where I live.

But you see shag all Porche cars on the road. If you drive a few 100km or spend a few hours toodling around city traffic you might see one or two, or none. The second one will be at least 10 years old.

What happens to all these Porches they're supposed to be selling? They park them in the garage and never drive them?

donegaLroad

Ubbquittious wrote: »

But you see shag all Porche cars on the road. If you drive a few 100km or spend a few hours toodling around city traffic you might see one or two, or none. The second one will be at least 10 years old.

What happens to all these Porches they're supposed to be selling? They park them in the garage and never drive them?

yep, probably bought for an investment.. they will sail around in their Mercs for the meantime

Jesus Wept

A new car is a pretty poor investment.

donegaLroad

Jesus Wept wrote: »

A new car is a pretty poor investment.

they dont have to be new

Ferarris are an investment

so are Porsche

Cake Man

mojesius wrote: »

Going on maternity leave soon then thinking of jacking the current office job in soon afterwards. I've been slowly burning out the last few years and really it's not what I want to stay in long term. I'm a hard worker and wont put my name to ****e work and that inevitably has led to some climbing up the ladder and the stresses that brings. However I'm not ambitious in the career sense, ie the thought of reaching a senior management level in my company sends shivers down my spine.

Really I'd love to have my own little business, nothing too big, just enough to have a happy stable living, and a better quality of life.

Good post, especially agree with the bolded bit. No interest in really wanting to climb the corporate ladder but what annoys me is that in this day and age to say this to your employer (or anyone really), it's almost shameful and makes you come across as lazy or unambitious. For me, I'd happily take a little less money if it means getting into work at 8 and out at 4.30 and none of this sh!te of staying til 6 most nights and doing a bit extra free on weekend (free of charge, of course).

Leilani Faithful Spitball wrote: »

I think there is a lot to be said for moving to a 4 day or even a 3 day working week, even if it means working longer hours on the working days (12 - 14hrs) to make up the the hours. Two days off per week just isn't enough especially if you want to use some for sleeping in after nights out etc. Also it's very handy to have a day off on a weekday for getting things done.

I also know someone who works 7 x12 hours shifts in a row and then 7 days off. While it's tough when you are on it's a week off every second week.

4 days a week wouldn't be bad at all, the only issue I would foresee is it wouldn't take long for fools to start scheduling meetings and other "you need to be in for this" on the day off. Not to mention those who couldn't pass up the opportunity to show how hardcore they are by coming in on the day off anyway and boast about the 12hr days/4hrs sleep they do/get.

Sam Kade

bear1 wrote: »

What ****s me right off is that you spend hours upon hours day after day to get that pay check and only for half to be taken in fecking bills.
Then you think ah this month I can save something and that's the month when something expensive will happen and you're eating rice for the next 21 days.
Money is ****e.

Go home Yank.

Sam Kade

RoboKlopp wrote: »

Find a new job OP. One that has more favourable hours. 4 and 1/2 days or work from home (if possible in your work). Depending on your line of work there may be other options.

Regarding working 6 days a week, every week.. **** that.

You'd **** your pants working 7 days week.

BillyBobBS

...And Justice wrote: »

Id like to say on paper that im "comfortable " but between us we take in 100k gross, net pay is a whole other pain. Mortgage and the bills. There's not much left after you send your teens off to school.

Middle society me hole.....squashed fcukung flies more like. Raped of finances at every opportunity to fund a dysfunctional system.

Leo better get his finger out and do something

Varadkar isn't doing diddly squat. If people keep voting in the same political parties year after year they have to expect to get the same treatment. Like turkey's voting for Xmas.

Wheeliebin30

BillyBobBS wrote: »

Varadkar isn't doing diddly squat. If people keep voting in the same political parties year after year they have to expect to get the same treatment. Like turkey's voting for Xmas.

Who should the people vote for so to lead us to utopia?