Don't Mirror Your Boss' Bad Behavior

April 16, 2012

Last week I received a comment from a reader of my recent Career Paths article about “Work/Life Balance” that made me take pause. She wrote “Your honest assessment about leaders who don't communicate effectively was especially refreshing -- it's a common problem, but few of us talk about it”. Really? Leading would be much easier if leaders demonstrated they care about their workers by making sure they have the right balance to be productive and … yes – happy!

Tim Tolan

Last week I received a comment from a reader of my recent Career Paths article about “Work/Life Balance” that made me take pause. She wrote “Your honest assessment about leaders who don't communicate effectively was especially refreshing -- it's a common problem, but few of us talk about it”. Really? Leading would be much easier if leaders demonstrated they care about their workers by making sure they have the right balance to be productive and … yes – happy! If you have to spend a third of your life at work, you might as well spend it with somebody you actually enjoy working for. It's a real no-brainer!

If you are currently in a work environment where it's common practice for your boss to send e-mails over the weekend just because they have no life doesn't mean you have to be on the clock 24-7 and available for every beck and call. Unless you are in the middle of a “go-live” or there is a critical business issue looming, send your manager a note to let them know you're spending time with your family during the weekend, and you will follow up with them on Monday. Man up! Do you really need to be responding to e-mails and phone calls over the weekend just because your boss doesn’t have a life outside of work?

In the end, you have to make a choice on how to make your weekend/holiday schedule your own. You already give your employer over 2,000 hours each year to perform your work duties and responsibilities. Another 2,000 hours is spent sleeping to recharge your batteries and give your body the rest it needs. I think it's only fair that those last 2,000 hours belong to you and your family.

You - and they - deserve it!