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I've seen colleagues try < 100% work and what would end up happening is that they would work the usual hours, but just get part-pay. There are really no solid c

by shas3 9y ago

I've seen colleagues try < 100% work and what would end up happening is that they would work the usual hours, but just get part-pay. There are really no solid checks and balances other than a manager's goodwill when you start working part-time. The only way you can actually curtail hours is if the manager says "ok, s/he is working part-time, so I'll give them fewer responsibilities." Quite often, project deadlines and not-so-nice managers ensure that you end up working full or more hours even if you are officially part-time.

scarecrowbob 9y ago
There is the whole "I stop working when I hit my hours, because they are explicitly set at 30 hours" deal... that's been working for me. Like, I'm on 10-4MF, and they give me a check every two weeks. They have some good will from me so if I have to put out a fire at 9pm and I can, I do it. But I'm not a "full time" employee. If the responsibilities don't get met in the time allotted, they aren't going to get met. It's not like I get to work less if I figure out how to get my work done in less time... I don't see why I'd work more just cause they give me assignments that take more than 30 hours a week.
dbjacobs 9y ago
If you do something like 3 ten hour days, that makes it much less likely that you will drift into working more than you signed up for. Ten hour days are already longer than the standard 8 (so less social pressure from leaving early or arriving late) and your days out of the office create a bright line that is easier to maintain.
ciguy 9y ago
The company I'm working for is European, so they tend to be a lot more realistic about working hours than American companies (I spent most of my career in SF). That said, I think employees also have a responsibility to push back on insane hours. If you're good at what you do, then you have far more leverage as a developer than just about any other type of employee.

by shas3 9y ago

scarecrowbob 9y ago

There is the whole "I stop working when I hit my hours, because they are explicitly set at 30 hours" deal... that's been working for me. Like, I'm on 10-4MF, and they give me a check every two weeks. They have some good will from me so if I have to put out a fire at 9pm and I can, I do it. But I'm not a "full time" employee. If the responsibilities don't get met in the time allotted, they aren't going to get met. It's not like I get to work less if I figure out how to get my work done in less time... I don't see why I'd work more just cause they give me assignments that take more than 30 hours a week.

dbjacobs 9y ago

If you do something like 3 ten hour days, that makes it much less likely that you will drift into working more than you signed up for. Ten hour days are already longer than the standard 8 (so less social pressure from leaving early or arriving late) and your days out of the office create a bright line that is easier to maintain.

ciguy 9y ago

The company I'm working for is European, so they tend to be a lot more realistic about working hours than American companies (I spent most of my career in SF). That said, I think employees also have a responsibility to push back on insane hours. If you're good at what you do, then you have far more leverage as a developer than just about any other type of employee.