Boss asks night-shift worker who works 70hrs/week to miss their son's soccer game because they can't find coverage

Where do you draw the line when it comes to work-life balance?

"Work-life balance" is one of those phrases that we hear all the time, and probably don't really understand what it means. because it's different for everyone. Everyone in different eras of their life has different comfort levels with how they spend their time at work. Maybe when you're young and have energy and not many responsibilities, you're willing to throw yourself into your career a little more. But when you start to have small children running around the house, you might want to spend more of your time with them. You might need to spend more of your time with them, because someone has to look after them. It's a reasonable progression, but not one that always rhymes with the way that work happens in the real world. Sometimes, the more advanced you get in your career, the more work gets piled on your desk. Even when you don't want it. 

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  • An exhausted woman puts her head in her hands at her desk
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I'm not missing my son's soccer game.

    I work night shift. I'm usually off Friday nights. My son's soccer game was rescheduled from a Friday to a Monday. Inconvenient. I inform my boss that I need coverage for that Monday. Boss is also on vacation that day and requires the supervisor to cover his spot.
    via imbadatgrammar
  • Six hours before figuring this out, I had a conversation with my boss and he states "that should be fine, just tell <supervisor>. I tell him and that's when I hear him tell me he's covering the boss - the guy I just had a conversation with about this. He froze up with nothing to say. I then inform him "well, I'm going to be late, cause this is his last game, I missed the last two, and I'm not missing this one" and walked away.
    via imbadatgrammar
  • This is a salary position with a lot of expectations. I work about 70 hours a week on night shift. Some days if my family has something planned, I won't see them that day and only get about 20 minutes with them most days. I've sacrificed a lot for this company.
    via imbadatgrammar
  • I hear my colleagues on day shift always talk about the ballgames their kids get to do and they get to go to theirs, and it leaves a sour, bitter taste in my mouth thinking I'll eventually regret not being able to go to mine. He will have to threaten to fire me for me to miss this game and even then - Worth it.
    via imbadatgrammar

  • That's what happened to the parent in this story, who found themselves at an interesting crossroads at work, when they were being pulled in a few different directions. They were already missing out on lots of family time due to the nature of their work, and they wanted to be there for a particular milestone. Sports games can be big moments in a child's life, and if they look up into the stands and find that you're not there, it might make them sad. You would hate to make your child sad just because your boss wasn't willing to meet you where you're at. We should all be a little more understanding with each other and give each other the grace that we deserve. But it's hard to realize just how much of your life you're missing out on when you're at work. When you start to think about it for too long, you might want to start making some changes. Keep scrolling to see what happened to her and let us know in the comments what you think about it.

  • An upset woman talks on the phone at her desk
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • LondonEntUK 70 hours a week night shift? This has got to be in America?
    via imbadatgrammar
  • MasterSeuss I am sure I am being incredibly naive (never worked outside the education system) but it seems odd that someone in a salaried position would need cover? Unless it is shift work, but that's usually hourly? What industry are you in?
    via imbadatgrammar
  • Lordwells Have you opted out of the 48 hours a week working time directive? If you haven't, you shouldn't have to work any longer than that.
    via imbadatgrammar
  • Key_Competition_... Like I always say, "they're a MANAGER. They'll manage."
    via imbadatgrammar
  • loneiguana888 I played sports year round. My dad worked a lot, like usually left the house before we went to school and got home around supper Monday to Friday. He always left work early for my games/matches/races. Didn't notice it much then, but as an adult looking back it means the world. You only have a small window to watch them be kids, do it.
    via imbadatgrammar
  • shoulda-known-... Salary you get 43 hours a week from me.... You get three extra because I am nice..... You want more you pay me more F that trap
    via imbadatgrammar

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