Long hours culture

Long hours culture

Didn't find your answer?

I'd be really interested to know what sort of hours your firms expect you to work. I don't mean the deadline times of December and January, or when a project is urgently due. But what are you routinely expected to do when there isn't any particular need for it?

Do you ever go home at the correct time? Get in at the correct time? Have an evening or weekend when you don't have to do something for work? Are you tired all the time as a result? Does everyone else do it so you can't refuse? Do you get paid overtime if you are qualified? Are you in business or the profession?

Just a matter of interest as to what the industry really expects of us. I once worked with a senior (mind you about 10 years ago)who turned up and left on the dot. When I asked him why he stuck to the working hours so rigidly he said - when you turn up for work 15 minutes early, people will ask you why you are late this morning. They will ask me why I'm early. A good point I think.
Rachel

Replies (10)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

avatar
By AnonymousUser
24th Jul 2006 10:39

I agree with Nicola
It's good to see that some people don't mind putting in the effort.
She not only runs her own business, but also is a partner in a firm.
I just hope her partners appreciate the effort she puts in.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
21st Jul 2006 17:50

From a partner....
my staff arrive not a minute early and leave on time virtually every day.

If they need to leave early its nearly always granted, provided the time is made up.

I work longer hours, which I'm trying to reduce over time, but being self employed is very much a full time commitment.

In January, there's occasionally paid overtime, but generally the position is relatively unchanged (although everyone is working flat out, which I admit isn't the case for the whole of the year).

Despite this the practice and my personal profits are well above the national average.

As a aspiring partner some years ago, I did put in extra hours (perhaps an extra hour per day in the week and sometimes on a Saturday morning), but if longer hours are expected of you by your firm and everyone is working them then there must be something seriously wrong adn personally I'd look elsewhere.

Industry is of course an option, but the rewards (unless you progress to a high position in a large company) will be substantially less.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By TonyUK
22nd Jul 2006 11:07

I agree with Nicola
I have never worked in public practice, but the last employer I worked for beggared belief. As Financial Controller I was earning a paltry salary, working over 45 hours per week with no incentives,bad atmosphere etc, hence I left - now work from home as freelance accountant.

Even though this is part time and less money, I am very much happier than slaving away without much purpose or reward. I have always tried to be as human as possible towards my staff and its not the time you spend behind a desk but the results that are important. you have to motivate and care about those that you are responsible for, life is about balance and work has to be reasonably enjoyable otherwise there is not much point in getting up for 5 days with that heavy feeling in the pit of your stomach.

Can you believe it the last interview I went for 3 years ago, they asked me what I did during my lunch hour!! That ended my association with the employment market. I am sure there must be some decent employers out there, but they are hard to find. look for those that are aware of their social and enviromental responsibilities, donate to charities, offer sports facilities, that type of thing. There is much more to life than being cooped up in an office working long hours, more stress and particularly when this is taken for granted, and I have seen this all too often. We are after all in the 21st Century!!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
24th Jul 2006 13:41

Very different in the large firms...
I spent 7 years working for one of the big four. It was the norm to work an extra hour or two after the supposed finish time of 5.30. Also the norm to be in early.

After I had my first child, I went to 3 days a week and tried to leave on time so that I could see my son before he went to bed. I lasted about a year and was told I was the longest surviror of working part time at management level!

The work I got was suddenly all the boring work, I could understand to an extent but they took the michael. There was no chance of my getting the promotion I was nearly due for as I didn't get the good enough work to prove myself.

This was a big firm with a great reputation for charity involvement, staff welfare, sports clubs etc. Shame the reality of being 'family friendly' just didn't match the spiel.

I then took a 40% pay cut and now work in a small company in industry, which is flexible and great. I do regularly work longer than my 20 contracted hours a week but I tend to take the time off as lieu hours so I don't mind for the flexibility.

I look forward next year to working for myself as a freelance accountant, all being well.

Thanks (0)
By dialm4accounts
24th Jul 2006 11:21

Extra hours for no reward? No way Jose
The practice I work for only expects overtime if there's an important project to do, or a block of work to finish (e.g. Tax Returns in January). We're certainly not expected to work extra hours for the sake of it, or to try and look good. My boss caught me still working 15 minutes after my scheduled home time one day during my 3-year training contract - and shooed me off home.

I used to work for a big blue chip where leaving on time was seen as slacking.

Trying to work extra hours, on top of an hour-long commute each way round the M25, and taking a set of CIMA exams, nearly burnt me out.

Having tried that lifestyle, there's no way I'd go back to it. And any boss who expects their staff to work such hours is a mug because the staff will either leave or burn out.

Hats off to Nicola, Rob and all bosses like them.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
24th Jul 2006 16:25

Get the work done

I'm a sole practitioner with 22 staff.

I personally work quite long hours, but it doesnvary seasonally. I much prefer to out extra time in at home in my study rather than the office. However the quid pro quo is I am now able to get 10-12 weeks holiday PA.

For my staff, I find there are some in-on-time out-on-time, but many seem to put an extra half hour in either end of the day, and maybe they dial in to check their e-mail over the weekend. However if they were reguarly putting more than an hor extra in a day or taking work home I would be concerned about work / life issues. Of course, the horrors of January are a different issue.

I personally don't worry toommuch about people being a few minutes late in, or stretching their lunch break so long as the work is done and the attitude is right. If they need time off for family reasons, childcare etc, its more a case of letting me know rather than asking.

Part time and home working does work, at senior and junior level, if its organised properly.

 

Thanks (0)
avatar
By andrew.coleman
25th Jul 2006 13:36

Big four
I worked for a big four firm (at the time when there were five!) and we had a time management workshop. In the workshop we were told not to work outside normal office hours unless on a really important job.

The next day I advised a senior partner that whilst I would happily accept the work he was trying to give me it may take a few days to get to as I was rather busy.

He advised me "if youre not here until 10pm every night I dont consider you to be busy!"

I have a friend at a big four now and she regulary works up to 20 extra hours per week with no extra reward. Crazy.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
25th Jul 2006 15:18

Outside London
With "Big 4" firms, or otherwise, do people think there is a difference between firms, or between London and outside London?

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
25th Jul 2006 14:25

Big Four Experience
I have worked for 2 of the big 4 and there was a difference between the attitudes of the two.

If I left on time at one I was followed out of the office by stares which meant 'where do you think you are going'.

I moved to another Big 4 firm where although it was not specifically flexible working, as long as you were not taking the michael and did the work that was required (not hours but work) then you could be flexible as long as it met the business needs. As a result I worked extra if a deadline was tight or if the job needed it but otherwise there was very little overtime on my timesheet.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By User deleted
21st Jul 2006 23:41

Fixed hours
I run my own small practice and would never wish, or expect, any of my staff to work unpaid overtime, or arrive early/leave late.

It is SO important for people to have a life out of the office.

I personally feel people work MUCH more efficiently if they leave, and arrive, on time.

Being a partner I do need to work slightly longer hours myself but its my business and I am building it up.

I still think, sadly, some firms have terribly old fashioned ideas that those who are in the office longer work harder...RUBBISH!

Thanks (0)