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The original was posted on /r/maliciouscompliance by /u/OkMarzipan3163 on 2025-03-03 15:23:27+00:00.
So, bakin the day, I had a big project at a local utility, where we would have a 3mos outage(max) per year and that's it, to get work done and get the plant back online. (This went on for 3yrs.)
I was working with a local contractor to get core project work done. We were working 16hr+ days, 7days/week. The company had generously booked me into a hotel close to the site (I lived about 60miles away, otherwise), so I was able to minimize commute time.
Not only was I scrutinized on the amount of time I was charging(salary (112-120hrs/wk), salary, so didn't matter to project budget), but I didn't take any of the holidays, etc., that would come up.
Come, performance review time, I was dinged on not being in the office regularly during those outage periods. Not enough to get me a "performance development plan", but barely enough to get me a "thriving" rating.
Afterwards, I had a revelation about work-life balance. Need me to come get a treatment plant back online, sorry, (cue the beer from the fridge) pssssst, I've been drinking. Need me to help the Shops w a emergency, off-hours work request? Sorry, psssst, I've been drinking.
I have very few regrets in life, but the ones I do regret are the time I spent missing my kids grow up during these 3 yrs.
I've learned never to give back to them for anything offhours, or that exceeds "thriving" metrics.