AT survey says we put in long hours on the job
29 May, 2007 By: Ron Hall Athletic Turf NewsAnd we thought you sports turf managers were tough, real tough. Turns out just over half of you are working what most 9 to 5ers consider a sane schedule — 40-45 hours a week in the spring.
For the other 47% responding to our online survey, you say you’re putting in more than 46 hours a week on the job. That’s some serious workage.
For the 22% of you saying you’re working more than 55 hours a week right now (“Off the charts. HELP!), we hope you get some serious R&R sometime this season; you’re going to need it.
We did some research on the Web about the average number of hours worked by U.S. citizens and couldn’t find anything that we felt shed any light on how a turf manager’s typical schedule compares with other professional outdoor occupations. We did find plenty of information suggesting that U.S. workers, in general, get far fewer vacation days off than their counterparts in other industrialized nations, particularly Europe.
The problem (assuming you’re among the 65% of U.S. workers that take their full compliment of vacation days) is that job responsibilities too often follow employees, even when they’re off and trying to recuperate and recharge. We can thank our “wired” world for that, our instant messaging, Blackberrys and cell phones.
Hard work isn’t what gives people heart attacks and serious facial ticks, not if they enjoy doing it. It’s the lack of recovery time. We all need downtime after putting in our hours. Don't be among the 35% that don't take ALL of your promised vacation time. And while you're on vacation, spend your time with your family and friends, doing what you really like to do and enjoying each others company. For heaven's sake, don't take your job with you.
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