She Strengthens

The Overtime Dilemma: Is Working Extra Hours Worth the Sacrifice?

As someone who has spent a significant portion of their post-grad life freelancing, I’ve always been fascinated by the concept of overtime. The idea of working longer hours and getting paid more sounds like a dream come true. But, as I’ve learned from my own experiences, it’s not always as simple as it seems.

The Freelance Perspective

When I started full-time freelancing, I worked well over 40 hours a week just to make ends meet. Writing a well-researched article would take me over an hour, and translating my pay per piece to an hourly rate made my income seem laughable. I would end up working significantly more hours than I would have in a traditional 9-5 position, but my rate was fixed – I didn’t reap any benefits from the extra work. Now, I can do the same thing in less than half the time, and I can charge a rate that’s much more fair to my experience and the level of quality I deliver.

The Salaried Conundrum

But, what about those who are salaried? I have friends who end up staying late and going into work early just because their job duties demand it, and they don’t even receive a financial benefit for all those long hours. It’s a tough spot to be in, especially when you’re not being compensated for your extra effort.

The Importance of Work-Life Balance

We hear a lot about work-life balance, and I fully believe in the importance of having leisure time. Being part of any brand means having a social media presence, and working in media necessitates occasionally putting in some non-traditional hours. However, working tons of overtime means much more than just putting in the extra work here and there – it cuts into your ability to maintain a schedule outside of work.

What Drives People to Work Overtime?

That’s why I’m so fascinated by what drives people to work overtime, especially in unfulfilling jobs. A recent Reddit thread piqued my curiosity, where users shared their experiences working OT-heavy jobs and whether they thought it was worth it or sustainable.

Real-Life Examples

One user, rand652, shared their experience working in banking, where they worked 50-70 hours a week for a low six-figure salary. Despite the good pay, they hated their job and felt miserable. On the other hand, drivebyhug shared their experience as a dog groomer, where they made $700 a week after taxes but worked 11-12 hour days, six days a week. They saved a lot of cash and bought their first car in cash, but it was unsustainable in the long run.

Another user, doublenutted, worked very hard at a stressful job that regularly put them into lots of overtime. They did it for two reasons: they liked their job, and they had many goals centered around their financial standing. They pushed themselves to work 60-80 hours a week, but when it was slow, they could do as low as 28-30 hours a week. All that overtime money went towards achieving their goals.

Calculating the Worth

So, how do you calculate if overtime is worth it? It’s not just about the extra pay; it’s about considering every aspect of a job beyond just the salary. Ask yourself:

• Will the extra income make a significant impact on your financial future?
• Will you be able to sustain the long hours without burning out?
• Do you enjoy what you’re doing, or is it just for the money?

Ultimately, whether overtime is worth it depends on your individual circumstances and priorities. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons and consider what matters most to you.