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Career Management

by Toni Bowers, Head Blogs Editor
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IT has always been known for its long hours, but a new survey released by The IT Job Board says the situation is getting worse. In fact, 7.3 percent of the survey respondents claimed that this year they’re working 60 to 75 hours on average each week — that is one third higher than 2008 (at 4.8 percent).

75 percent advised that their company doesn’t pay overtime (or the positions are salaried), and 54 percent claimed to taking work home.

The reasons behind this trend are as you would expect — high volumes of work and management expectations of staffers.

When asked what impact the longer working hours was having on their professional and personal lives, those surveyed responded:

  • 34 percent believed that their work productivity has decreased.
  • 66 percent stated that their social life has been affected.
  • 37 percent claimed their health had been affected in some way.

So how do you fall in these statistics? Are you working more hours?

Toni BowersToni Bowers is the Head Blogs Editor of TechRepublic. She has been in the publishing industry for 20 years, with concentration in IT-related topics. She has edited newsletters, books, and web sites pertaining to software, IT career, and IT management issues.

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That's IT for you... Capt_Skippy | 09/22/09
Do WE now The 'G-Man.' | 09/22/09
Always an exception... kcat123 | 09/22/09
Only because you've allowed them to fool you JackOfAllTech | 09/22/09
Huh? Mike-Scott | 09/23/09
He's been fooled by his company and he's fooled himself JackOfAllTech | 09/23/09
Agree SilverBullet | 09/24/09
Correct. benjnunez@... | 09/25/09
I agree Dr. Funk | 09/25/09
Well Said temp209@... | 09/25/09
Absolutely! Tony K | 09/25/09
It's your job to look out for you. wyattharris@... | 09/25/09
Most IT workers are poor time managers cgbullock@... | 09/25/09
50 hours onsite minithumbs@... | 09/28/09
Also agree RookieTech | 09/30/09
Their poor planning ... wchaster@... | 10/01/09
Interesting bmwwaterman | 09/25/09
Excellent Kineo216 | 09/25/09
Finding a good employer ... wchaster@... | 10/01/09
re; Only because you've allowed them to fool you mike@... | 09/25/09
Outsource richard.ayers@... | 09/26/09
No disrespect meant but... Kostaghus | 09/25/09
45Years and counting chris.pratt@... | 09/25/09
24x7 doesn't mean you Stubby | 09/25/09
Here here! Ole88 | 09/25/09
some people are proud johnreiling@... | 09/29/09
Oh, he said "shut up". That means we have to take it. EdMerc | 09/25/09
Balance istari2ve2002@... | 09/25/09
And then there are the one's with no life outside SilverBullet | 09/25/09
Desi's Especially prakash_srikanth@... | 09/25/09
Hoah --@... | 09/28/09
Like the job, but you don't have to kill yourself doing it george-barna@... | 10/04/09
A lesson learned mijobra@... | 09/25/09
I hear you Andy M | 09/25/09
No life from 9 to 5? mjc5@... | 09/25/09
Couldn't agree more bill@... | 09/25/09
Interesting comments chaps chris.pratt@... | 09/25/09
Tomorrow Is Saturday! bill.folger@... | 09/25/09
speak for yourself simon.child@... | 09/28/09
I'm with you Bill timsalabim | 09/28/09
Sleeping on A Problem minithumbs@... | 09/28/09
Amen dpanto000 | 09/25/09
Even if it's fun.... jk2001 | 09/25/09
Get ready for the worst destiger92@... | 10/05/09
Not just IT rich95134 | 09/22/09
Total agreement wlewis@... | 09/22/09
80 hours? michael.kregel@... | 09/22/09
Not all workaholics kurt@... | 09/22/09
This guy michael.kregel@... | 09/22/09
I call them slaves myself (NT) Tai Chi Bear | 09/23/09
corn field slaves is what I call them! techie_developer | 09/25/09
Again, agree SilverBullet | 09/24/09
50hrs = productive though Stubby | 09/25/09
I think part of it MikeGall | 09/25/09
Check your state statutes thegreenwizard1 | 09/25/09
State Statutes wlewis@... | 09/28/09
Correction NickNielsen | 09/28/09
Your wrong michael.kregel@... | 09/22/09
Not wrong, just the unfortunate truth. StormChaser | 09/23/09
Work to Live, or Live to Work SilverBullet | 09/24/09
The flip side.... mjc5@... | 09/25/09
You ever buy anything? NickNielsen | 09/25/09
Missed the point SilverBullet | 09/28/09
I don't think you'd get the point NickNielsen | 09/28/09
Afterthought NickNielsen | 09/28/09
Yo do have a choice Stubby | 09/25/09
I'm fairly certain NickNielsen | 09/25/09
I read 'em (and I weep not) HGunter | 09/25/09
US labor law also defines what are called "exempt" positions NickNielsen | 09/25/09
Nice,,,,, SilverBullet | 09/28/09
Tip for you NickNielsen | 09/28/09
Employement Laws defending worker Smullster | 09/25/09
Who defends workers against labor laws? TommCatt | 09/25/09
Terminate at Will Smullster | 10/06/09
You can be fired at any time for any reason MargaretlBartley | 09/25/09
The real world? TommCatt | 09/25/09
Exempt or non-exempt is federal law NickNielsen | 09/25/09
Only Bad choices VBJackson | 09/28/09
Log your extra hours jk2001 | 09/25/09
Freelance - I get paid for what I do peter@... | 09/25/09
Screw IT orbach | 09/25/09
Actress The 'G-Man.' | 09/25/09
I didn't read all of these becuase... mike@... | 09/25/09
Try Ranching EK@... | 09/25/09
We are paid to solve problems, so why don't we solve our own? mdbizzarri@... | 09/22/09
I've made that choice before Sabregirl | 09/25/09
They can't take integrity from you SilverBullet | 09/25/09
Used to be salaried / management angry_white_male | 09/22/09
Halleluiah brother jp4par | 09/25/09
Hourly chris@... | 09/25/09
Fourty hours plus an extra 20 mjd420nova | 09/22/09
Why? JackOfAllTech | 09/22/09
I do pitty you,,,, SilverBullet | 09/24/09
yes u r right Esam_jar | 09/23/09
In the end it is our choice vh396001@... | 09/23/09
Quite agree! hippyhop | 09/23/09
Forty Hour Week rmurphy762@... | 09/23/09
Long hours vs unemployment HGunter | 09/25/09
Logical in the wrong direction TommCatt | 09/30/09
another slave. SilverBullet | 09/24/09
anther slave? mjc5@... | 09/25/09
I drive my career, it is not defined by an employeer or SilverBullet | 09/25/09
Oh, you better be the best! mjc5@... | 09/26/09
You did not interrupt my talking point SilverBullet | 09/28/09
You missed a point, I think HGunter | 09/25/09
if it is your choice to put in unpaid hours peter@... | 09/25/09
Screw IT orbach | 09/25/09
A classic illustration of abuse. Nothing else but. jdickey | 09/25/09
Negotiate you position donweck@... | 09/25/09
What do you do... c_aug@... | 09/25/09
You Misunderstand TBone2k | 09/25/09
Record my time jk2001 | 09/25/09
hmm MikeGall | 09/25/09
Total Commirment rscott46 | 09/25/09
i heart it too jk2001 | 09/25/09
... but the big question HGunter | 09/25/09
We almost had a revolution for that. jk2001 | 09/28/09
What about I.T.? R1scFactor | 09/25/09
it has always been that way Professor8 | 09/25/09
How will employers appreciate that peter@... | 09/26/09
40hrs? Sure, just do it right. mkite@... | 09/25/09
40 hrs can be done - I agree crownjw1 | 09/26/09
Long Hours owner@... | 09/25/09
wake up jk2001 | 09/25/09
But most should legally receive overtime pctyson@... | 09/27/09
Luckily, this hasn't been the norm for me. Kujo2020 | 09/28/09
I worked well over 70 hours per week before my I.T. SilverBullet | 09/29/09
And your take- away from this NickNielsen | 09/29/09
There is one thing NickNielsen | 09/29/09
Probably both lol ~nt~ jck | 09/30/09
Convert Your Pay to Equivalent Hourly Rate http://pm6.com | 09/30/09
wouldn't it be great to think? mccor005@... | 10/01/09
Seems par for the course Derek Schauland | 09/22/09
Yep jck | 09/22/09
Seems par for the course craig.walker@... | 09/23/09
I work 40 hours a week in IT Forum Surfer | 09/22/09
Great to hear! jweston@... | 09/22/09
I also only work 40 kjknutson@... | 09/22/09
Less than 40 hours here! Dave Pusey | 09/25/09
33 hrs a week lucky !!!!!!!! richard.ayers@... | 09/27/09
Not a frecuently overtimer omar.mendez@... | 09/22/09
Please be specific.... clc@... | 09/27/09
If I read you right NickNielsen | 09/27/09
That's cool jck | 09/22/09
Speaking of $$$...I made 30% more take home when I worked 50+ hours Forum Surfer | 09/22/09
50-plus hours equals 25-plus percent extra time... roninido | 09/22/09
Love of money, love of job, love of life? SilverBullet | 09/24/09
More employer flexibility = more employee flexibility johnn5 | 09/22/09
Re: More employer flexibility = more employee flexibility jjenkins@... | 09/22/09
Comp time is effective "time management" SilverBullet | 09/24/09
In a Comp Time situation, excessive CT = Problems Former Big Iron Guy | 10/22/09
I'm with you maecuff | 09/22/09
Me too sharkbot | 09/23/09
It puzzles me that IT workers Tai Chi Bear | 09/22/09
Yeah jck | 09/22/09
Exemptions Tai Chi Bear | 09/22/09
Agreed jck | 09/22/09
I'd pay big bucks to see that... Tai Chi Bear | 09/22/09
Unionize IT? jjenkins@... | 09/22/09
Union-no, professional organization-yes Tai Chi Bear | 09/22/09
Sounds damned good to me jck | 09/23/09
Problem when you include Mexico jdclyde | 09/23/09
No problem at all actually jck | 09/23/09
No wage negociation Tai Chi Bear | 09/23/09
not per individual jck | 09/23/09
Decentralise Man! paul.hughes@... | 09/25/09
That would take a true act of God jck | 09/25/09
There are professional unions jk2001 | 09/25/09
well I don't know about *that* jck | 09/28/09
Unionizing jck | 09/23/09
You've got the power mijobra@... | 09/25/09
Absolutely jck | 09/25/09
They're not trying to organize IT jk2001 | 09/26/09
Very true jck | 09/28/09
Exempt/Non-exempt is based primarily on job duties NickNielsen | 09/23/09
really? jck | 09/23/09
There are, of course, exceptions NickNielsen | 09/23/09
Yep jck | 09/23/09
That's the one NickNielsen | 09/25/09
Sort of... jck | 09/25/09
choices are not always cut and dry ssampier | 09/22/09
Well said TCB onemixdj@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT chadhembree | 09/22/09
For all you Treksters out there... agoodspeed | 09/22/09
Comp Time jk2001 | 09/26/09
Someone tell my wife sidekick | 09/22/09
I hear ya TBone2k | 09/22/09
Hear, hear! agoodspeed | 09/22/09
i feel for u pal ruby.otero@... | 09/25/09
The mythical high-wage factory job. jk2001 | 09/26/09
yes Esam_jar | 09/23/09
20 hours a week jdclyde | 09/22/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT rxgirl | 09/22/09
Amen michael.kregel@... | 09/22/09
Ha! Forum Surfer | 09/22/09
Yeah, well.... rxgirl | 09/22/09
:) Forum Surfer | 09/23/09
dang jck | 09/23/09
Congrats! :) bert@... | 09/25/09
In that case, wait until SilverBullet | 09/25/09
Been there, done that - never again. notlobber | 09/22/09
Indeed bsturgell@... | 09/22/09
It has never been 40 hours AlphaW | 09/22/09
Your Attitude Is Part of the Problem Arsynic | 09/23/09
Did we create a monster? IT4Life | 09/25/09
40 hours because they want it, or need it SilverBullet | 09/25/09
Odds here and there reisen55@... | 09/22/09
and Picket TechMitch | 09/22/09
With Mass Layoffs--This Isn't Just an IT Problem Arsynic | 09/22/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT RBSandoval | 09/22/09
Not any more Richard Noel | 09/22/09
Yes dg.itpro | 09/22/09
Watch Yourself jk2001 | 09/26/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT Network Design and Support | 09/22/09
I work in IT and I rarely work more than 40 hours a week MyPMExpert | 09/22/09
Good Sense temp209@... | 09/25/09
I tend to agree with Susan on this.... stleslie@... | 09/27/09
I'm not too bothered about the number of hours Tony Hopkinson | 09/22/09
I only work 35 hours AV . | 09/22/09
"Almost" jdclyde | 09/23/09
Absolutely not AV . | 09/23/09
Burnt out. RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT ogregator@... | 09/22/09
I agree !!!! Tonie16 | 09/25/09
Yeah :) ogregator@... | 10/07/09
Caring a lot is a good thing... jk2001 | 09/26/09
There's not a chance I'd do that regularly! JackOfAllTech | 09/22/09
37.5 hours JustinF | 09/22/09
Exactly my point JackOfAllTech | 09/23/09
Yup Pravat | 09/22/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT geo.waqas@... | 09/23/09
We all have to try to keep the work under control... jk2001 | 09/26/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT Systems_Analyst | 09/23/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT Rastor9 | 09/23/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT msmith@... | 09/24/09
32-hour week here... KD78728 | 09/24/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT benjnunez@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT terrance.cavender@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT anvinota@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT destiger92@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT mandrake64 | 09/25/09
Quite often, it's the other way 'round NickNielsen | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT yfaris@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT aduran63 | 09/25/09
Also it affects the Motivation LEVEL!! aneeque@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT spblais@... | 09/25/09
I used to work long hours and enjoyed it but, not any more paul.everett@... | 09/25/09
Did we create a monster? IT4Life | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT nanheynedian@... | 09/25/09
This is the way of IT asics447 | 09/25/09
Perhaps we should join the Indian programmer's union jk2001 | 09/26/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT rodgar_z@... | 09/25/09
Re: Time for school? howard48906@... | 09/25/09
You are a ROI # scott.damery@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT kyle.mansell@... | 09/25/09
Sorry about your experience ke_xtian@... | 09/25/09
40Hrs...Hahahah!!!! techrat@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Beware of exaggeration Marcus55901 | 09/25/09
It People understand, non It don't trevorairey@... | 09/25/09
50 Hrs a week w/OT joshuaj@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT bhoeg@... | 09/25/09
This is going to hurt a little Dr_Zinj | 09/25/09
Oh my YES!! jlippens@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT hinesjrh | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT kelley.walker@... | 09/25/09
Know your worth - Demand respect waltjohnson35@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT phportelance@... | 09/25/09
Don't do the employer's work on your own time. Do your own work. jk2001 | 09/26/09
Computer Science/Multimedia degree worth it? n.smutz@... | 09/25/09
Might be worth it. arignote | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT ej79931@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT steveclelland | 09/25/09
Set the rules at the start and the situation is a bit more managable iTh4uNow | 09/25/09
Salaried or hourly? (exempt/non-exempt) pctyson@... | 09/25/09
No OT in Software Development and Support Kelley@... | 09/28/09
There's always a light at the end of the tunnel sergioms_li@... | 09/25/09
Could overtime be a disservice rather than a good job? susan.mcmillin@... | 09/25/09
And Its Time for This Nonsense to Stop eliwap | 09/25/09
I love working OT MytonLopez@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT jeelanimunawar@... | 09/25/09
Our Career was once a Hobby locum@... | 09/25/09
Separate work from the hobby jk2001 | 09/26/09
How much can you take? kayte@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT ericgyoung | 09/25/09
Thanks to former President Jimmy Carter dbecker@... | 09/25/09
Maybe in US fvazquez@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT Renaisssance2008 | 09/25/09
It is here CodeCurmudgeon | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT chris@... | 09/25/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT bradwarduk@... | 09/25/09
Work way over 40 just to keep my job tappy0814@... | 09/25/09
You're getting screwed jk2001 | 09/26/09
Have to just keep the job tappy0814@... | 09/26/09
But you're still getting screwed AND it's still illegal NickNielsen | 09/27/09
Keep Records! jk2001 | 09/28/09
Thank you for the advice tappy0814@... | 09/28/09
Amen pctyson@... | 09/27/09
That is totally illegal AV . | 09/26/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT kennedyjd@... | 09/25/09
3 buildings, 3 shifts, 3 support techs! christopher.ramey@... | 09/28/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT tt@... | 09/28/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT gbohrn | 09/28/09
Not for Me aholthouse@... | 09/28/09
RE: A forty-hour week? Not in IT charlesvgoff@... | 09/30/09
Over 40 too often bad time management by the boss Deadly Ernest | 10/10/09

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