Tuesday Nov 28 2006
When I read this headline from ABC NEWS I thought it would be about pipeline workers in Alaska or repairing mountain power lines by helicopter. Unfortunately it’s a sad commentary on how some choose to live their lives. Many would argue the use of the word “choose”, and say companies today demand that their workers remain constantly on call and submit their lives to a corporation akin to a frat boy on pledge week. But these aren’t low income jobs staffed by poverty line straddlers who NEED every dollar. These are well paid executives who get a hard on and thrill by racing up the corporate later and won’t stop until they’re on top - if a heart attack doesn’t kill them first.
But I’m curious if it’s the POSITION or the MONEY that drives them? I’ll never turn down more money. Money is NOT the root of all evil. It gives you financial security through life and allows you to accomplish your major goals, such as travel and higher education. But who on earth would accept an additional $20,000 - $50,000 on top of an already decent salary in exchange for the life? i.e. 80 fucking hours a week rather than 40 or 50?
My partner and I make an excellent DINK salary and each have 40-50 hour work weeks with ample vacation time. My job is stable and secure, I’m established in my field, and have never seen the need to trade my COMPLETE LIFE for more pay. This philosophy coincides with the priorities I set for myself. It wouldn’t matter if we made $80,000 a year or $200,000 combined income. We live our lives by being selective about our material pursuits and acquisitions. It IS possible to live a nice life by living SIMPLY. We don’t live on cold oatmeal and water, but we share a car - which affords us a nicely appreciating home, growing 401ks, and our large purchases are justified or necessary. Hence life is simple and we can concentrate on IMPORTANT things in life: like travel, good food, friends and family.
Reading this below comment makes me wonder why he wouldn’t just put a gun to his head already:
But I was so exhausted I’d leave the office at 9 at night, go home to sleep for three hours and get back up at 1 a.m. and come back in the office for another full day.” Shontz is almost never home for dinner with his wife and three children, and even breakfast at home is a rare occurence. (SIC)
Extreme Jobs Mean Long Hours, Little Sleep — A Lot of Money
Nov. 27, 2006 — David Shontz is an Orlando trial lawyer working hard and hoping to make partner at his firm. Though he lives in the vacation capital of the world, the 35-year-old Shontz rarely vacations, and he’s not alone.
“Extreme jobs” with grueling hours have become a way of life for many of the nation’s top income earners.
A new study in the upcoming issue of the Harvard Business Review estimates that 1.7 million Americans now hold extreme jobs. The study defined “extreme” as any job that requires more than 60 work hours per week and fits various parameters regarding work flow, travel, responsibilities away from the office and outside commitments.
Shontz says the punishing hours are unavoidable, especially when he’s preparing for a trial.
“There was many a night in the last couple of months where I had been in the office since 5 or 6 a.m. and I needed to continue to work,” Shontz said. “But I was so exhausted I’d leave the office at 9 at night, go home to sleep for three hours and get back up at 1 a.m. and come back in the office for another full day.”
Shontz is almost never home for dinner with his wife and three children, and even breakfast at home is a rare occurence. (SIC)
“He usually leaves before they get up,” said Laura Shontz, David’s wife.
It’s a big sacrifice, but Shontz, like many people with extreme jobs, believes it’s worth it.
“The kind of success I want, I don’t see any other way to do it,” he said.
Fifty-five percent of extreme workers in the Harvard study claimed they regularly cancel vacation plans for work reasons.
The jobs are found all over the economy — in law and medicine, on Wall Street, in retailing and media, accounting and management consulting. Men are more likely than women to hold these jobs, which exact a harsh toll on family life.
Success Comes at a Steeper Price
Success at a high level has always demanded hard work, but technology, the globalization of work, and leaner work forces are intensifying the demands… and the hours.
“It used to be the 40-hour work week, then it was the 60-hour work week, which is now practically part time,” said Catherine Orenstein of the Center for Work/Life Policy.
According to the Harvard study, 52 percent of the nation’s top income earners — those in the top 6 percent of earners and often making six-figure salaries — work more than 70 hours a week. And 48 percent say they are working 16 hours a week more than they did just five years ago.
These top performers say it’s not just long hours that define their jobs. The pace of work is faster — there’s travel, deadlines, 24-hour availability, and enough responsibility to keep several people busy.
But despite all that, the overwhelming majority say they love their jobs. For many, the financial rewards are also over the top. And researchers say many of these professionals get enormous ego satisfaction from their ability to handle the pressure. They’re hooked on the adrenaline rush as well as the rich salaries.
“If you look at the culture, we’re really in a culture that embraces ‘extreme’ today — the concept, the phenomenon and the word itself,” Orenstein said.
From extreme sports… to extreme makeovers… and this holiday season, even Extreme Elmo. Extreme Jobs are just another part of the picture.
You might think of David Shontz as Exhibit A. He says he can work another 30 years at this pace.
“God willing, yes. I plan on it,” Shontz said.
The potential for burnout on these jobs is also extreme. The Harvard study revealed the dark side of working such punishing hours. High percentages of the high performers in the study said the crazy schedule took a huge toll on their family lives and even their health — particularly because of a lack of sleep.