Recently I had a conversation with a senior level co-worker who basically said that I need to create the perception that I am working harder and putting in long hours to signal that 1) I am career driven 2) I am a go getter and 3) All I want to do is Work Work Work Work Work (I love Rihanna). He literally discussed examples of colleagues who sent emails at midnight or over the weekends or put in 14 hours in the office – not to mention logging in from home.
Sadly this type of lifestyle has become the norm in the American work culture. And technology has made it possible and worse. With cellphones and laptops, one can literally be working 24/7. It’s this type of work style that is celebrated and promoted. Whether this yields to a promotion or to new opportunities within a company is unknown. I’m sure there are studies out there. After a certain point it becomes clear that a hard worker will not necessarily be promoted to the next level.
But it is quite an unfortunate state when the style of your worklife is viewed more positively than substance of the work you do. Shouldn’t efficiency and actual productivity (not perceived productivity) count for something? Just because someone answers an email at 10pm doesn’t mean they are hard working. It most likely means they cannot balance the work they have on their plate or that they’re workaholics and would rather be sending emails than spending quality time with their family. (And yes single people also have families and lives outside of the office!).
I understand that perception matters but when did actual hard work and quality of work start to trumph perceived hard work and output? Am I to spend 12-14 hours at work just so my co-workers think I’m creating value? Driven? Motivated? Wanting to be promoted?
Clearly work is valued over leisure in America.
Here’s how you can create the perception that you’re working long hours and have a lot on your plate:
- Send emails super early in the morning or late at night or even weekends
- Make it known that you came into the office at an early hour or stayed late (this literally worked in my case)
- Constantly talk to anyone and everyone about how busy you are, how much you have on your plate
- Constantly talk about the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), committees, activities you are involved in so everyone knows you’re gung-ho about the company and job
- Stay in the office for 12-14 hours
No wonder Americans work longer. Take fewer vacation. And retire later. We’re all too busy playing the American work culture game.
Let the games begin!