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6 in 10 managers pressured to work extra hours unpaid

Photo by Greg Dunlap.

In case we needed another sign that our current concept of work is bad for our well-being, look no further.

Excessive workloads and overbearing bosses are causing more than half of managers feel pressured to work extra hours, according to a new survey of over 1,000 managers by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).

94% of managers report that they work more hours than they are paid to do, with more than half reporting that they’re pressured to do so. This extra time often equals another full day of work a week.

More alarmingly, 44% feel direct pressure from their boss to stay late, and 86% check phone and email on evenings and weekends. The report called this the “overtime culture” -- where everyone is expected to work overtime in order to receive promotions and be patted on the back by your boss.

No wonder why 2 in 5 people have voluntarily chosen to work less and make less in the past 5 years in order to spend time with their families and doing what they love, according to a recent survey. 86% of those who did so were happy with the change.

Those who want to work less often turn towards freelancing, which gives them the flexibility to pursue their passions while still earning a sustainable income. Although freelancers who are trying to get their businesses off the ground often find themselves working 60 hours a week (and nights and weekends), they’re (mostly) paid for them. They work fewer hours, but at a higher rate of pay. Because of the flexibility of their gigs, they’re often more free to shape their schedules and preserve important family times.

Did you start freelancing to escape the “work is all there is” mindset of traditional jobs?

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