I've been working really long hours—like 12 to 15 a day—for a few months now while setting up a Linux system. Recently, after feeling completely drained, I reached out to my boss to take a sick day, explaining that I felt burned out and needed a break. When I returned, my boss had a meeting with me where he expressed concern and mentioned, "We need to find a way to manage your stress without taking paid leave." This was surprising to me because, in my previous jobs, taking paid leave for burnout was typical and even encouraged. I want to know how best to handle this situation—am I being too honest about my stress levels? Is it just a norm in the industry now to downplay burnout?
1 Answer
First off, it sounds like your health is more important than anything else at work. You need to set boundaries—working more than 8 hours regularly is unsustainable. Get into the habit of clocking out after your regular hours, and make sure you have time for hobbies or activities outside of work. If your workload is demanding 60+ hours, that’s a sign that changes need to happen on the project management side. Don't hesitate to push back and prioritize your well-being!
Absolutely! If your workplace is pushing you to overwork, they really need to reassess their priorities. Your health should come first, and if that means finding a new job, then so be it.