I once had someone ask me I was willing to work overtime in an interview. I said "It depends....!". And so it went: dumb-ass company> What do you mean it dep

I once had someone ask me I was willing to work overtime in an interview. I said "It depends....!". And so it went: dumb-ass company> What do you mean it depends? me> Well, if it's a reasonable amount and I am compensated for it, then I'm game, but otherwise I'm not. dumb-ass company> We don't pay for overtime, it's expected in our industry to put in some overtime. me> That's ok, as long as I can take time in lieu. dumb-ass company> We don't do that either. me> Well my priorities are different than yours. I put my family first and my employment after. So each hour of overtime I would work for you would be an hour stolen from my family. dumb-ass company> When you work overtime you do so because having a job lets you pay for you family. So working overtime and having a job really is putting your family first - right? me> Sometimes, but truthfully if I took this job I would only work only long enough to find a job where I am not required to work uncompensated overtime and the company has a "families first" value system. However, in reality, working for you would probably leave me with little to no time to look for work, so I feel I am better off to pass and invest my time wisely........ -- You folks working at places like EA are caught in that same cycle: the company is working you so hard your not able to effectively look for work. I recommend two options: 1. Stop working overtime. Show up for regular work hours and let them get mad at you. Let them threaten you. Let them fire you, but until they fire you spend your time looking for a better job. or: 2. Quit. And understand your sacrifice is an investment. Have confidence in yourself to succeed. Empower yourself to better both yours' and/or your family's lives. If your going to spend the rest of you life being manipulated your life is going to suck. Have or Have not! Live or Live not! It's up to you! Not your company.