'After years of unpaid overtime, I started logging out exactly at 5 PM': Employee shares how sticking to scheduled hours improved their wellbeing and productivity

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Apr 5, 2025 6:00 PM EDT

Taking on extra work at the workplace is (almost) never a good idea…

We're sold this ideal that grinding and working hard will eventually get us somewhere, that all our hard work and determination will one day be rewarded. It is true that hard work, being prepared, and putting yourself in the right place at the right time are the best ways to take advantage of opportunities that might present themselves in the future. But working yourself ragged for your employer and teetering on the edge of burnout is definitely not the way to be best prepared for those opportunities.

Without the right mentor or boss, any extra work you're doing will soon go from barely appreciated to unnoticed. Extra shifts, late nights, and weekends will get overlooked as your extra efforts mask over and hide problems, allowing your boss and management to turn their attention to other things and meaning that you'll be blamed now when that extra work isn't getting finished. 

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  • 01
    "After years of unpaid overtime, I started logging out exactly at 5 PM. My productivity improved, and I finally have a life..."
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  • Working extra just serves to allow your employer to leave that vacancy vacant forever, pocketing the money saved on the extra wages. Really, the best thing you can do is put in an average or slightly above-average effort and then talk to people about how much work and how successful your work is. Communication and “peacocking” play into success more than actual aptitude. 

    This worker shared how they were going to begin sticking to the hours they were paid to work and how doing so, and the intentionality and focus that came with it, actually improved their productivity. Their story sparked discussion in this online community.

  • 02
    For years, I believed that staying late and putting in extra hours would lead to recognition and career progress. Instead, it led to burnout and resentment. Three months ago, I made a commitment to log out exactly at 5 PM, no exceptions. Surprisingly, not only did my productivity during work hours improve but I also regained my
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  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10490159872
    via Ahmet Kurt For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 04
    personal life. Now, I can spend more time with family, picked up old hobbies and feel more rested/energised. Do you know the best part? It's the fact that my employer hasn't noticed a drop in performance. This was an eye opener as it made me realize that overworking was a trap I set for myself
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  • 05
    OnGuardFor3 Absolutely. Work smart not hard. When you're on the clock be productive and set the boundaries there. It's something that I always go over with new hires... | don't expect you to take your work home or stay late or check your mail on the weekend, just manage your time well while you are at work.
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  • 06
    If a task is overwhelming, come talk about it and let's figure out a way to get you a deadline extension or get you some help to finish it. Physical and mental health is important for a productive team.
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  • 07
    Eastiegirl333 Never work for free.
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  • 08
    Known Attorney_... I did the same as you. I learned the hard way that it is not appreciated but it will be expected if you do it often enough.
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  • 09
    Extreme-Slice-1010 Rule No. 1 - Never ever go above and beyond Rule No. 2 - Read Rule No. 1 Management don't give a sh about you so why should you
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  • 10
    howto1012020 Good for you! You've set a healthy boundary for yourself!
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  • 11
    CCJM3841 Absolutely. I also recently came to this realization myself. Spent over a decade working nights, weekends, etc. thinking that I had to do all of that in order to survive and thrive. I am now also trying the new tactic of doing exactly what is required, and nothing more. Even if it leads to layoff, my family, my health, my sanity will be worth it.
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workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee employment-discussion job work employees overworked-employees workplace Horrible Bosses employment in the workplace
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