Joined a new company and the first 4 months were great. Then I got a new manager, the whole team got fired and my work went from a chill 35/40 hours to a 50/60 hours a week… that persisted for 3 months, since the new year, so 2 months, I’ve been working, not exaggerating, 80/90 hours and weekends to barely keep up with the demand. Awesome Points: Constant C-staff exposure and praise Often have a seat at the table for big decisions Great exposure for my seniority level Won company awards There’s a headcount to add capacity WTFs: I haven’t been able to take a day of PTO in 6 months Hours are clearly insane Limited time for family/kids/wife Got a “meets expectations” for 2023 despite praise Headcount got moved out from under me Canceled one trip due to work Worked every day of PTO I had planned in Q4 Honestly I was in the mind set that “it’s all building to good things” and then I got the “meets expectations” which I imagine is going to come with a sub 2% raise… totally crushed my motivation and made me realize how shitty some of the WTFs really are above. WWYD? #tech #worklifebalance
First, figure out a way to take your deserved PTO and work reasonable hours. Easier said than done, and I know you worry it will lead to a layoff, but that happens to the hardest workers anyway. You have to preserve your ability to work, and you are burning the candle at both ends and in the middle too.
That’s normal. Engineers should work 50 hours/week. Those good days are gone.