Work expectations in Bay area (Stanford, Mecca: vacations, health, business)

[skris4]

I debated whether to post this here or in the work/employment forum but this is just something I've noticed only in the bay area. I am heading on a 4 week vacation (haven't had a longer vacation in almost 2 years) shortly. Although my vacation is just around the corner I find that a lot of work has been suddenly dumped on me. I am now expected to finish all this . I am told that this is good for me to be in demand and how a lot of other people would jump at this project. I am really puzzled at how its implied that I should be ecstatic at this opportunity. Whats weirder is that none of my colleagues think this is strange. Its no surprise that work-life balance is a foreign concept here but how often does this happen to be asked to take work during time off? Does this happen to others? Is it just my employer? I would really appreciate some responses to this.

[ccm123]

At my current employer, whenever I request leave, my manager (a great boss) tells me to turnover any ongoing projects before I leave, so that I can enjoy my leave.

Have you spoken privately to your manager?

[Ruth4Truth]

What sector do you work in, OP? Tech?

[quizzer25]

Originally Posted by skris4

I debated whether to post this here or in the work/employment forum but this is just something I've noticed only in the bay area. I am heading on a 4 week vacation (haven't had a longer vacation in almost 2 years) shortly. Although my vacation is just around the corner I find that a lot of work has been suddenly dumped on me. I am now expected to finish all this . I am told that this is good for me to be in demand and how a lot of other people would jump at this project. I am really puzzled at how its implied that I should be ecstatic at this opportunity. Whats weirder is that none of my colleagues think this is strange. Its no surprise that work-life balance is a foreign concept here but how often does this happen to be asked to take work during time off? Does this happen to others? Is it just my employer? I would really appreciate some responses to this.

Totally depends on the manager I guess. I have never experienced this.

[skris4]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

What sector do you work in, OP? Tech?

Yes, in tech!IT appears from the responses that I am the only one with this problem? I find the work environment to be really cut-throat.

[ambient]

Originally Posted by skris4

Yes, in tech!IT appears from the responses that I am the only one with this problem? I find the work environment to be really cut-throat.

Of course you're not. Didn't you know? This is one of the world's Meccas for workaholics. This is one of those places in the world where people flock to with dreams of getting rich, and they do that by typically being young family-less guys willing to work around the clock at startups or in private equity. Damn near everyone is a transplant from somewhere else. Like a quarter of Harvard's graduating MBA class each year ends up here. Stanford is obviously highly represented. People here are chasing big bucks and dreams of being the part of the Next Big Thing, and they just do not like to take it easy. The Steve Jobs prototypes of the valley do not care if they work you all weekend. And when you burn out, there are always more where you came from ready to take your place.

I have spent five years in it, and I can tell you first-hand that the pay and resume experience is good, but the work/life balance is generally just not a priority. Corporate types may talk a good game about it, but it's not true. You play this game knowing it. And you decide how long you want to play that cost/benefit game.

[ccm123]

It's Silicon Valley, of course!

There are a few companies that do offer work-life balance, but the key is "few".

Originally Posted by skris4

Yes, in tech!IT appears from the responses that I am the only one with this problem? I find the work environment to be really cut-throat.

[bobby_guz_man]

I've never had this happened either. But generally for 3-4 weeks long vacation, I would inform my managers almost 2 months in advance. By the time I'm ready to hit vacation, everything is already handed off temporarily to other coworkers.

[likealady]

I do not work in tech, neither does my partner, but we always had a huge amount of work dumped on us prior to vacations. I'm not sure if we just have terrible planning or if people just freak out when you are going to be gone for a more than 2 days.

[spicydreamt]

Maybe your stance invites more work because of the perception of weakness and fear. Back when I was in your situation, I always set my vacation dates well in advance (6 months ahead for a 3-week vacation, 2 month otherwise) and the dates were always non-negotiable and overriding. As a result, work suddenly creeping close to or during vacation time would squarely be management's fault *and* responsibility to fix. If your work ethics is stellar during business hours, only a bad manager would undermine your recovery time. And working under a bad manager is bad for your health.