Finding harmony and balance at home and work is becoming an issue for me working at WestRock.
The company is growing in record numbers right now but so is the demand for more production from management. 60-80 hour work weeks are becoming the norm for me this year which is making it ridiculously stressful on my home life as a single mother with 2 teens. Forced overtime is the new standard and the supervisors always notify us at the last minute. I’m not sure how to approach my boss about working less OT without getting fired. Any suggestions?
As a supervisor myself I have more respect for my employee's who talk to me rather than call off or talk crap. As you are very well aware of crap rolls down hill and when supervision is getting crap over better numbers everyone feels the effect but if you talk to them and explain the hardships you have from being a single parent raising teenagers I'm sure you will get a better response from them then you think.
Employers will work you till your dead. Overtime should not be mandatory. And if it's"out of your scope" of your duties I would say something. It's getting out of hand what these employers want from us and as long as you allow it, they will keep pushing you. That's not a life.
Just say no. Ask is it mandatory? If they respond no then state that you really need off. I was a fair supervisor for over 25 years in a factory. One year we worked forty Saturdays out of 52 in that year. I piled on overtime where I knew I could and worked around others that did not want it.
Kristopher and other's have good suggestions and know that your not alone this failing work life balancing act is affecting working families throughout the US. Talk to management one on one and ask for an alternative or option to help accommodate your situation.