SURVEY SAYS: How Much "Homework" Do You Have?

I have to admit that I was surprised to find that more than half (56%) of this week’s respondents are bringing home less than 5 hours of work each week.   Not that it had always been the case for that group – many claimed to have had a different approach once upon a time, and a sizeable number apparently are putting in plenty of hours AT the office – but have chosen to leave work at work.   One noted, “I don’t take any work home with me any longer – not since I’ve been asked to be here at 6:00 a.m. and don’t leave until 5:00 p.m.   But, I will come in on a Saturday or two each month, just for a few hours.”   Another noted, “We have a policy in our house that says no work is brought home.   If you have work to do, stay at work and do it, but don’t bring it home.   This works well for us.” “The separation of work and home are right up there with the separation of church and state in my mind,” said another.  

Roughly 28% said they are bringing home 5-10 hours of work/week.   Interestingly enough, while not every respondent offered additional comments, among those that did THIS was the group that seemed most upset by the amount of work they were being asked to bring home, although resigned to it.   As one noted, “5 – 10 hours on average, but sometimes more and never less We’re being asked to do more and more with less and less resources (money and people) and to come up with innovative new ideas.   Amidst layoffs in other departments, taking work home is a matter of survival of the fittest.”  Another noted, “I’m in the 5-10 hour range if you don’t count the time I spend worrying.”

Another readers pointed out, “The reality is that in Human Resources, the employees are always there, the work is always there, and there’s something new (not necessarily exciting) everyday. The interesting thing about all this is that the reason I do work at home is 1) there’s a lot to finish and 2) I don’t know what World War will hit the next day. Reason #1 would really never get done because of reason #2.   :).”

One summed up the heart of the problem of overwork as follows, “The problem for me is not so much the physical work time is   that I can NEVER really get away from work.   Even if I don’t physically bring work home, it’s weighing on my mind and haunting my sleep.   There are not enough hours to do everything that has to be done; everything is “top” priority and I certainly don’t have enough staff to off load anything so it’s always there. The never ending stream of government intervention and tinkering with laws, imposing new requirements and changing old is exhausting.”   But even that reader finished with the following, “On the positive side though, I always have something to do that suits my mood for the day, strategic, detail, numbers, writing – there’s always something. So enough whining-it’s time to go back to work!”

Roughly 8% each were in the 10-20 hours/week and the “might as well be a second job” category, although as one reader observed, “You didn’t have a choice “don’t ever leave work”

Not that the “might as well be a second job” types are complaining.   Check out the comment from this reader, “I spend 10 to 11 hours in the office every day.   I spend additional time at home just about every evening.   Then — there’s the weekends.   I vote (d) but with a smile.   I choose to do this.   I’m having fun.   I can’t understand why more people aren’t here with me.”

No question we’re all no doubt working harder than ever before – but, in a refreshing contrast with the machisimo attitudes that once dominated such discussions, the vast majority of this week’s respondents seem to be making a conscious – and conscientious – decision to carve out time for the things that are, after all, more important than the job – however much we love it.

Nonetheless, this week’s Editor’s Choice could well be a sampler for many an office wall, ” Be it ever so humble my Office is my Home.”

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!  

I very seldom bring home work from my job.   And I love my job.

We have a policy in our house that says no work is brought home.   If you have work to do, stay at work and do it, but don't bring it home.   This works well for us.

I can't quantify hours since I can be working 24/7 with voicemail and ability to log into our network from home.   Often, as I am this a.m. I log in early, clear up some e-mail and then head for the office.   I always check e-mail and monitor some publications on weekends. So, clearly the advent of technology has meant that workweeks have stretched.   But, also as my career has advanced, more responsibility has meant more time -- I think that would be the same even w/o technology and most likely it would mean more hours in the office and away from my family

You have to draw the line somewhere and personal time is very important.   Sometimes money is not the only thing in life.

I don't take any work home with me any longer - not since I've been asked to be here at 6:00 a.m. and don't leave until 5:00 p.m.   But, I will come in on a Saturday or two each month, just for a few hours.

I spend 10 to 11 hours in the office every day.   I spend additional time at home just about every evening.

Then -- there's the weekends.

I vote (d) but with a smile.   I choose to do this.

I'm having fun.   I can't understand why more people aren't here with me.

During a good week, it's b).   During a bad week, it's c).   Given that I'm replying to this survey at 5:20 a.m., this is definitely going to be a c) week.

Keep up the good work.

Considering I work from home for the first two hours of every day, I could very well answer "C" to that question, but since I am considering my hours worked in the morning to be "work at home" I don't know if that qualifies. I guess I would say outside of the 40+ hours a week I might put in at the office and the home-office, I work another 5 or so at home outside of regular work hours (at nights and on weekends), so put me down as a B.

a) less than 5 hours (it took me 13 years to get there but I can finally leave work where it belongs.....of course that would have nothing to do with disillusionment from mergers, displacements of intelligent, hard-working, dedicated co-workers).

I wish it were (e) NONE! But I have to say (c) [closer to the 15 to 20 hour range]

I love my job, I truly do, and wouldn't trade it in for the world (well, maybe if I won a million $'s).

However, the reality is that in Human Resources, the employees are always there, the work is always there, and there's something new (not necessarily exciting) everyday. The interesting thing about all this is that the reason I do work at home is 1) there's a lot to finish and 2) I don't know what World War will hit the next day. Reason #1 would really never get done because of reason #2.   🙂

I say (a) less than five hours.   I am a CPA who bailed from public accounting due to long hours - both in the office and at home.   I am now happy in corporate America - pleased to say that in the last four years I have only taken work home twice.   Yes, that does require some extra hours at the office on occasion, but not that often.   I have the attitude - "I work to live, not live to work".   If my job changes to require long hours in and out of the office - I will have to say - I was looking for a job when I found this one.

5-10 hours at a minimum.

With companies 'slimming down' and running on skeleton crews, and people taking on more and more responsibilities, it has become necessary to take work home - even if it's reading 'trade' magazines to keep caught up with issues, policies, and information!

Good Question. I'd like to say B but the reality of the situation is C.   As a general rule, I try to limit this time to early in the AM on weekends or late in the evening when it does not interfere with other family activities.

A) Less than 5 hours.

I try not to take any work home at all.   The separation of work and home are right up there with the separation of church and state in my mind.  

I generally try not to work at home but it's getting harder and harder to keep the separation.   I probably could work 5-10 hours a week easily and depending on the seriousness of the project, I do.   The problem for me is not so much the physical work time is that I can NEVER really get away from work.   Even if I don't physically bring work home, it's weighing on my mind and haunting my sleep.   There are not enough hours to do everything that has to be done; everything is "top" priority and I certainly don't have enough staff to off load anything so it's always there. The never ending stream of government intervention and tinkering with laws, imposing new requirements and changing old is exhausting.  

On the positive side though, I always have something to do that suits my mood for the day, strategic, detail, numbers, writing - there's always something. So enough whining-it's time to go back to work!

(b) 5-10 hours. Could be more, but I start burning out after 10. 🙂

I leave work at work.   Though sometimes it requires longer hours, I don't bring it home.   Home is my sanctuary!

Survey response.   a) Less than 5 hours per week, unless you count time studying for actuarial exams.   Then, I believe c) would be a conservative response.

- (a) I am at the office from 6:00 a.m. until I am done, however late that may be. I never take work home. I never talk about it at home and rarely think about it at home. That is why I still have some remnants of my sanity.

Less than 5 hours per week.   The company I currently work for stresses balance between home/family and work.

This is different than past places where there were mandatory Saturdays and 10-20 hours of "extra" per week was expected--with at least half of that being in the office.

Average workday is 10 hours (arrive at 8am, leave at 6pm).   Work done "at home" varies.   Usually "catch up" reading or projects requiring concentration.   Since I'm in HR, after hours & weekend calls/interviews with candidates are common.   One employer (for whom I no longer work) gave all mgt cell phones "so you can use your commute time productively listening to and responding to voicemails."

a) Less than 5 hours.   But I've had to "work" at getting it down to that.   Use to be more; but the older I get, the more valuable my personal time is to me.   And the less stamina I have to work more than 40 a week!

a) Not much at all....made a commitment to family last year

While I normally take 5-10 hours of work home each weekend, I also work extended hours - typically a 10 hour day 5 days a week.

Be it ever so humble my Office is my Home.

Our processing has become so efficient that I haven't had to put in any OT (own time) in 2 years.   Prior to that however, 55 hour weeks were not uncommon.

Lately...the last two years.   Work has been 7 to 7, dinner and THEN you get to respond to emails until bed.   The good thing is, we get PTO where we can actually be productive on work projects.

a) For the most part, I just spend 10-15 minutes a day checking e-mails.

a -- less than 5 hours.   Since both my husband and I are employed at the same place, we have made a conscious effort NOT to bring work home.   Makes for some long hours at the office, but it keeps home a haven.

As a tax accountant, I'm spending more time in the office than I would normally, but on average I take home (a) less than 5 hours worth of work a week.  

My problem is that I also typically work 5-10 hours a week of "overtime" at the office during the non-busy season which, of course, I don't get compensated for since I'm a "professional" and considered an exempt employee.   I'd like to know what happened to the 40-hour workweek.   I haven't work one of those in so many years that I can't even remember when the last time was!   Are there any professionals out there that actually work a 40-hour workweek?

With pay freezes and staff cuts, I have refused to take any work home.   What gets done in the 10-hour days in the office is all that gets done!

Take NO work home.   When I leave, I leave.   I have enough to do at home....   I work hard enough during the day that I actually get the work done.   Or at least as done as I deem acceptable - there will never be a point at which it is actually ALL done, there's always something....

Seems like the ones who have to work late or take work home are the same ones who spend all day gabbing and lolly gagging around....   Gee, could there be a connection here??   Hmmmm.....

a)...on average.   One of the advantages of "maturity" is the realization that work isn't "my life", but just a part of it.   There are much more important reasons for my existence, but it took me a few years to learn it and take responsibility, rather than letting others dictate my priorities.   I'm not completely cured of the delusion that I am defined by my work, but well along the path to recovery.

The day I begin taking work home is the day I retire!

5 to 10 hours a week, of course except during (1) August through January, (2) our bi-annual mergers, (3) weeks of Board Finance Committee meetings.

Corny as it sounds, I dropped from the "second job" category once we had a child.   But now "midnight feedings" are midnight emails!

A; Luckily I can still leave work at work, but if I want/have to work more, then I have to go back to work...on the weekend.

Times,   they are a changin'........In what seems to be the "other way", at least for me anyway.

Where years ago I used to eat, sleep and drink work, I have now purposely chosen to leave the office, well,......at the office!

Although I still put in about 10-11 hours each day (M-F) at the office, it is a very rare occasion indeed that I will bring any work home.  

Depends on the time of year; our business is seasonal, so I'm swamped during some periods and enjoy a 40-hour workweek in other periods.   Right now, I'm in the "oh-yeah-just-40-hours-this week" period!   So, the answer to your question is a.) Less than 5 hours.   Yahoo!

c) 10-20 hours a week at home

I have 2 kids in pre-school so my hours in the office are limited to 35 to 37 hours a week.   As a result, I work 1 to 2 hours in evenings after they go to bed.   On weekends I work during their naps and Sunday nights.   I live a dull life.

Take homework -less than 5 hours.   Actually, almost zero.   Overtime is occasionally required, but I very rarely work from home.

I bring home, on average, (a) less than 5 hours.    This is primarily because when I am at home I have my more important job of being a mom to a toddler and a pre-schooler.   If I can stay awake for much longer after they go to bed and get the basics done around the house, I sometimes even get the work I bring home done!  

My stress level at the desk would be much lower if I could bring home and accomplish much more.   However, when I was childless, I worked late, worked weekends, brought work home.   The stress level was just as high, and the only thanks I got for getting everything done was more work for being so on top of things.  

I bring home, on average, (a) less than 5 hours.    This is primarily because when I am at home I have my more important job of being a mom to a toddler and a pre-schooler.   If I can stay awake for much longer after they go to bed and get the basics done around the house, I sometimes even get the work I bring home done!  

My stress level at the desk would be much lower if I could bring home and accomplish much more.   However, when I was childless, I worked late, worked weekends, brought work home.   The stress level was just as high, and the only thanks I got for getting everything done was more work for being so on top of things.  

I don't bring anything home because I can't stand the physical intrusion of having work things in my house, but way too often I am here well past 6 and 7 pm to finish things.   As soon as one project is complete the owners pile on another, I'm closer to leaving myself all the time.   I always think I am one good hire away from fixing the staffing problems.   As soon as one mediocre employee leaves one of my good ones sees the slacker position as open and steps right up to the challenge.  

Usually I'd have to say 10 hours extra per week.   Busy seasons like audits, budgets & contract review easily 20+.   A constant diet of it leads to a lot of complaining and longing to be anywhere else.   I realize much of the problem is me because the parking lot is clear, even of owners when I leave and all those "other jobs" are secure, I just can't seem to shake the mode.   I'd be willing to bet the majority in the perpetual overtime mode are there because of self-imposed restraints rather than employer demands.   It doesn't help to get photos e-mailed weekly from my thirty something retired dot.com cousin from his new house on a Florida coast island weekly.   I don't resent him at all, but envious is a very fair word to use.   I am a former world-class swimmer and have offered to be his pool boy many times.   I believe if I were on the woman's team the gig would be mine.  

I don't normally take work home with me but, here's the rub, I normally work about 11- 12 hour each workday, five days a week.   I'm usually here from 7:00/7:30 in the morning and 7:00 to 8:00 at night.   Major issues or projects may create more time at home working, and typically that's over the weekend and even then most of the time I come in here to do the work rather than try and do it at home.   Easier to concentrate and get it done.

Used to be (c) 10-20 hours....I was working all the time, even while traveling, nights and weekends.

Since quitting that high prestige, high paying, highly stressful position for a better quality of life, my answer is now NONE!!!   When I leave work....I LEAVE WORK!!!

What a relief!!!  

I'm in the 5-10 hour range if you don't count the time I spend worrying.

Less than 5 hours.   In my younger days, when I was trying to establish my career, I worked day and night.   Now that I am older and wiser, I have learned to delegate and actually have a life outside the office.  

In re: to take-home work, my answer is "A - less than 5 hours per week." My philosophy is that work will always be there, patiently awaiting my attention, but that my personal relationships will not.

My answer is (a) - less than 5 hours of work at home.   However, should I be counting the time I work here when I should be at home??   Better go, I need to make sure all of these participants receive their new Summary Plan Descriptions.   Maybe I can be home by bedtime....................

Answer (d) It IS as bad as a second job!   In this economy and competitive environment, my guess is I'm not the only small business owner who works weekends to be sure that next weeks payroll can be met!

c) 10-20 hours (not counting continuing Ed and credentialing)

It used to be when I was a youngster, I would bring as much as 5 - 10 hours a week of work home with me.   Now that I'm the ripe old age of 28, I simply refuse to take work home.   My son was born two years ago and after that, home is for family and work is for work.   So I bust my butt at work to get it all done (or at least looking like it's all done to the boss).   If I have something that I can't finish, I leave it until tomorrow and don't even look at what's on my desk until yesterday's work is done.  

My wife and my son are my life, work is not.   It took the birth of my boy to make me realize that.   And I want to spend as much time as I can each day with both of them.

c) 10-20 hours

With the advances in inexpensive home network technology, I can sit on the sofa at home next to the kids, watch TV, and unfortunately, work on my laptop.

I spend so much time at work that I am lucky to eat dinner and sleep while I am at home.   Of course, I do have network access at home just in case something comes up while I'm eating or sleeping.

B - 5 to 10 hours.   But that is only because I spend 60 hours a week in the office.   When I am really busy I feel like I am making less per hour than a manager at McDonalds, but at least I don't have to where a stupid hat as I review the items on our dollar menu.

I now work out of a home office (same job, same employer).   I used to put in 45-50 hours when commuting.   I now put in 50-60 hours a week, work on the weekends, have taken calls as early as 6 AM and as late as 8 PM at times, but the ability to balance home and work is FAR better.   I didn't think my school aged kids even noticed I was working since I work before they get up in the morning, while they are at school, and then after they go to bed until I heard my 6-year old playing house one day and said to her dolls "I'll be there in a minute; I'm on a conference call."

b) 5 - 10 hours on average, but sometimes more and never less We're being asked to do more and more with less and less resources (money and people) and to come up with innovative new ideas.   Amidst layoffs in other departments, taking work home is a matter of survival of the fittest.

It used to be A and it has gradually worked its way up to D! Salaried folks sure aren't paid for the amount of hours they work!

I probably bring homework every night, but do more like 5 hr a week.    I want to ask people how often they bring it home and don't do it, which I think is pretty common -- at least in my and my husband's case, we're more likely to crunch on it in one night and/or a weekend

(a) Less than 5 hours - I already work at maximum speed and capacity during the day

or

(b) When I am studying for a CEBS exam, which I consider to be part of work

I probably bring home 5 - 10 hours of work each week.   Generally, this is reading industry information or responding to e-mails since I have access from home.   Also, since we have some 24 hours operations, I get employee issue calls from supervisors.

Option A and almost none at that.   A major departure from past jobs and a great way to keep my family happy.   Amazing how much fun it is to coach soccer!

Now ask how many TOTAL hours we are all working…

You didn't have a choice "don't ever leave work"

I am late with my response because I have been so busy assembling all my budget materials to take home to work on tonight!   My vote is a, in a typical week which we never have here in HR, so what the heck just put me down for b!!!