Redefining Work-Life Balance: The Value of Productivity Over Overtime

Someone in our office recently came across an advertisement in which a person leaves the office "early" compared to their colleagues who seem to be working longer hours. The hardworking colleagues try to convince this individual, who is knowledgeable in his field, to stay late so that the boss notices the team's dedication to working overtime. The person resists the pressure from their colleagues but agrees to stay at the workplace, hoping for a substantial salary increase, which may take several years of working overtime to achieve.

A study conducted at a prominent institute found that approximately three-quarters of employees in organizations work overtime. The study revealed that 71% of respondents worked overtime at least once a week. Around 23% worked overtime once a week, while 29% worked extra hours 2-3 times a week. Approximately 19% of respondents worked overtime almost every day of the week. Among those who worked overtime, 43% attributed it to the expectations of their employers and colleagues to extend their work hours.

However, let's be honest, do all individuals present in the office for 8 hours truly work diligently throughout that entire time? It's a question worth asking ourselves. How many hours a day are we genuinely productive and make the most of our time in the office?

The answer often falls within the range of 4-6 hours. The key is to focus, concentrate, and utilize that time effectively. A fitting quote for the common struggle we face, where time seems to slip away despite our efforts, is "It's not that we have little time, but more that we waste a good deal of it."

Is it wrong to leave the office as soon as your work is finished and your scheduled hours for the day are complete? No, it's not. However, some people around you might assume you have other commitments, accuse you of being lazy, or think you lack alignment with the company's goals, potentially affecting your chances of promotion. Despite the temptation to work overtime, the truth is that if you've completed your tasks for the day, there's no need to stay beyond your regular hours, not even until 5:01 PM after your 9-5 shift ends.

Remember, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." It's important to allocate time to prepare for the next day and to have time for yourself to stay productive. Overworked employees often suffer from anxiety, stress, insomnia, and depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 74% of UK adults experience mental stress.

A timely finish can prevent burnout and encourage employees to take a break and relax. So, the next time your colleagues suggest staying a few extra hours to make an impression on your boss for a potential raise, know that your performance is primarily evaluated based on your actual work, the value you bring to the company, and your productivity, not the number of hours spent engaging in lengthy conversations and office gossip with seniors and colleagues to impress them

ZingMind follows a very practical 'Output' based approach. If three hours of productivity brings out the standard result that one is expected to give out in 8 hours with a fluctuating concentration, break, and tiredness, we will appreciate you just as much. It is not just practical but also a suitable approach to make the employees of any organization understand that it is not a rat race that they are running, the value of the firm is directly proportionate to the outputs one can produce and it is never related to how many hours you decide to sit in front of your laptop, trying to catch the organization's eye.