January 5th someone from our 3 person team was terminated.

Anonymous

March 7,2024 at 1:06PM UTC

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January 5th someone from our 3 person team was terminated. The 2 of us left standing have been working 70-80 hour weeks since then. I work every weekend, start early, end late.

The company has hired someone but it is their first job out of college so while there is huge potential, it is going to be a long while before they can be on their own. I am an salaried employee. This is not sustainable and I am absolutely miserable. I am looking for a new job, but as I am sure everyone knows, the job market is rough.

What am I to do?

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AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 1:19PM UTC
Is there an expectation that was set that you now need to work double or are you just doing it? I wouldn’t have increased my hours. They let someone go, that’s their problem. Killing your self as they save money is exactly what they want.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:11PM UTC
Yep!!! Management is lazy. Part of BEING a MANAGER is picking up the slack
Heather HaalandMarch 7,2024 at 1:47PM UTC
What happens, what breaks if you don’t work so many hours?
Think need vs want. Go to you manager with this is what we need to do the bare minimum to keep lights on, these are what you NEED to do as a team. These are WANTS, may seem critical but are actually nice to haves.
Are there people outside your team that can absorb some of the work?
Your manager should have already been thinking of a solution so approach this as a brainstorm not an ultimatum.
A supportive manager should be able to view the problem from the business, team and product/client sides.
JJMarch 7,2024 at 2:15PM UTC
Love this and would add: with all the people out of work, and all the freelancers and consultants in the world, it would take about two hours to get a very experienced person on an hourly contract if your company cared.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 4:46PM UTC
Exactly! This work schedule is not sustainable. You should take it to your manager to rationalize and provide priorities and stop working 70 - 80 hours a week. While it is good of you to volunteer to do this, there should be some sort of compensation for your extra time and effort with a defined start and end date until #3 ge as this is not occasional OT which would normally be expected of a Salaried employee. Good luck!
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 1:47PM UTC
I know the feeling. At my job they just pass the other persons workload to those still standing. I hate that ! I work in recruiting and the market I agree is rough, but people are still finding new roles. Wishing you the best outcome with your job search and you can move on soon.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:00PM UTC
If you need to take leave, you can taje FMLA or see your doctor for short-term disability. This will allow you some time to recover and rest while you job search.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:38PM UTC
Looking for another job is not the best use for FMLA and can, if caught, be seen as disloyal. FMLA is meant to be used for illness or injury, yours and/or family members. As it is, I've heard of employees being fired or generally "hazed" upon returning from FMLA. It's unfair but reality. Decide whether to stay or leave but do not misuse FMLA.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 4:22PM UTC
No. FMLA is perfect for this very situation. Time to recover from burnout is absolutely appropriate. Looking for a new job is a very appropriate.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:09PM UTC
Start looking elsewhere BUT ask interview questions that will give to the culture of new place.
You are right, you can't sustain this. No one can.
FMLA another terrific option.
JJMarch 7,2024 at 2:12PM UTC
Can you stop?
I know it seems impossible but just stop and when someone asks why something is not done, explain it. I know that is stressful but my experience is companies will run you into the ground without thought and for little reward. They will not try to protect you. If you set boundaries, you at least have a chance for them to take your needs seriously. If you keep going they will keep dumping work on you. It took me years to be able to set boundaries so I get that my suggestion is a hard one. The only thing that worked was when I got to the point where I truly would’ve preferred being fired over continuing and that was when I was able to set boundaries. In some situations, there was a bit of an improvement but for most, I ended up leaving the organization. The truth is that if your company/boss cared they would’ve sat down with you prior to the reduction in staff and made a plan for you.
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 2:30PM UTC
I've been where you are- more than once. While looking for another position in another company or firm, it might be worth it to have a discussion re prioritizing and the ETA for getting the new employee up to speed. If you get the 100 yard stare from your manager/supervisors, you'll have to make a decision. Not fun and probably what you don't want to hear, but I hope it helps anyway.
Amy AmaralMarch 7,2024 at 3:47PM UTC
I'm curious to know if you're in a legal office? Is the other person also salary and working as you do?
AnonymousMarch 7,2024 at 4:23PM UTC
When they hand you a new item for your plate that is already full, ask them what you can remove to make room. "We're shorthanded, so you need to step up" is not an appropriate answer, especially if they are expecting quality work. Start setting boundaries and pushing back or schedule a vacation.
Are you keeping track of the overtime? Have you asked if comp time is a possibility once the new person is up to speed? If this is a flat no, then you need to find someone who will honor your boundaries. Expecting someone to work this much is insane.
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 3:07PM UTC
Quit
ReachingGoalsMarch 8,2024 at 3:46PM UTC
Cut back your hours. If you are not being paid, you don’t have to work. Yes, it is difficult, most of us are wired to get the job done no matter what. But company loyalty is often a thing of the past and employers will squeeze every last drop out they can. Come in on time. When your 8 hours is up, leave. When someone says something, your response is that I am paid for an 8 hour working day and am now going to spend time with my family.
Trust me, when you are older you will NEVER say “gee, wish I’d spent more time working for free.” An occasional extra few unpaid hours is tolerable. 40 free hours is not.
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 5:50PM UTC
You should double check with policy. I am a salaried employee. After 45 hours, I am paid straight time for any additional hours worked. I don't get "overtime" per say but I do get paid.
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 7:01PM UTC
After seeing all of these amazing comments, I did double check and unfortunately I am 'exempt' and get no overtime.
AnonymousMarch 8,2024 at 6:15PM UTC
If you are salaried work your 40 hours during the week and if you need a few more do it M-F. Don't work the weekends. Let your manager know that as well and keep firm on the limits. Good luck in your search.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 10:40PM UTC
True. But not all day and night. OP needs to try and work smarter, not harder. But I don't know her role
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 2:03PM UTC
Are you searching for a new job with more regular hours? Perhaps wait and see how the new hire turns out. Yes, it will be hard for a while, but isn't it even harder trying to find another job AND ALSO work 70-80 hour weeks? I'd choose my battles. If you hate your job, then by all means look for another one. But if it is OK, just the hours, it sounds like your boss moved quickly to backfill your coworker's headcount. I'd give it a few months and see how things balance out. Good luck.
AnonymousMarch 9,2024 at 8:03PM UTC
If you work that many hours, your manager should help or at least compensate you somehow.
This person might pick up quickly and be able to lighten the load.
Lastly, would you be looking for a new job if the third person wasn't terminated? And hey, why was the person terminated? Were they not doing their job?
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 4:34PM UTC
You clearly did not read my response...
>40 hours during the week and if you need a few more do it M-F.
I work in HR/Legal and know what it means to get the job done, but what it does not mean is work 7 days a week.
AnonymousMarch 11,2024 at 11:41PM UTC
In our state, too many companies have taken advantage of salaried employees like the OP states, so the Department of Labor has instituted mandatory overtime for anyone (salary or wage) making less than a certain amount (I think $100K). No exceptions exist due to company size or non-profit/for-profit/government status (like many other DOL standards). I have worked for companies that would convert wage earners to salaries because they didn't want to pay overtime but still wanted them to put in 60-70 hours a week and take a cut in pay doing it. A salary is calculated based on an hourly equivalent of a 40-hour work week, so dividing the hours worked by the pay would put many workers under minimum wage, especially those in the $35-$50K range.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 5:06PM UTC
I absolutely do, your rudeness about my experience is completely uncalled for. MY commentary is explicitly about the need to NOT work 7 days per week no matter what. If you or others choose to do this you set a precedent that will continue. Doing so is not the right approach and not good advice to give to someone who wants guidance here. Kindness matters please use that when guiding someone new to the workforce who is asking for help and not use this forum to bash those because you disagree with their professional opinion.
Dr. Patty GrossMarch 12,2024 at 7:58PM UTC
Delaware.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 10:08PM UTC
That's easier said than done.
AnonymousMarch 12,2024 at 10:37PM UTC
Polish resume, reach out to recruiters. Gotta start SOMEWHERE.
meanwhile, STOP working over. Getting taken advantage of. 1-2h OK if helps YOU. You owe them not past 40.
KathrynMarch 13,2024 at 10:54PM UTC
STOP. talk to your boss. Let them know this is not sustainable and the new kid won't help for a long time. Work with them on deliverables and set a stop time daily say 5 pm. Just let them know i have been doing this but I have to stop so I don't burn out,
Monette AndersonMarch 14,2024 at 6:39PM UTC
There is a reason that Washington is requiring salary hikes that will soon be an 80k minimum to have exempt staff but that is part of the deal unfortunately and setting a I'm only working 40 hours now is likely to cause some friction. However, I do think you need to lay your cards on the table with your leaders that you are nearing burn out and the horizon to this ending is not close enough for you under these circumstances and this continued pace is unsustainable for you and you need some help reprioritizing, reducing your work load. If you come in with some ideas of how to do that (maybe between you and the other left standing) all the better- if it's a culture worth staying for they'll hear you out. If you they just come back with empty promises or tell you a break is coming and to push through a little longer then they've shown their true colors. At a minimum if anything new comes across your desk you need to practice saying "i'm at absolute capacity right now and cannot take on new things. Perhaps you can let me know what I can reprioritize" If you're allergic to saying no just start with "Can I get back to you on that"