When we’re at school and at university, I would guess most of us have
some idea about how our lives would turn out. For instance, I was at a
dinner party on the weekend, and we were all talking about how our work
lives are structured, what we would change, what we didn’t expect. One
woman was talking about working at a law firm, pulling 14 hour days, how
little per hour she actually made when you included overtime. It was an
effort she was putting in in order to advance in the workforce. My work
life is structured completely differently; part salaried work, part
work in the creative industries. My hours are my own, but there’s no
obvious career path. It lead me to wonder: what are some common
lifestyle choices we make, and what are the pros and cons of each?
Scenario 1: Long Hours, Career Boost
You send your boss an email at 11pm to show you’ve been working late.
You bill by the six minute cycle, turn up on Saturdays and eat amazing
work dinners.
Pros: Generally, work this intense has some great
incentives, otherwise you’d be hard pressed to keep people in the job.
Career advancement, employment options that include a great salary,
opportunity or overseas placement. You’re also probably looking at great
job security.
Cons: Until you get there, you’re working huge hours
for a modest salary. The personal cost can be significant and these
types of jobs can involve big stress.
Scenario 2: Nine To Five, Clock In, Clock Out
You work a 38 hour week. The work could be fantastic, it could just
be something that pays the bills. You definitely take a lunch break.
Pros: This kind of job allows you to enjoy the other
parts of life. You have weekends to spend with loved ones, can be there
for every birthday party, every big event. You have good job security
and a consistent salary to build your personal finance around. Great
benefits, including annual leave, sick leave, insurance.
Cons: Some people are really lucky, and find
nine-to-five jobs they love. For others, a nine-to-five job might
include some repetitive tasks.
Scenario #3: Less Hours By Choice
For some people, stepping out of the career-charged cycle is their
dream. You work flexi-time, part-time, telecommute or work casually.
Pros: Again, this type of arrangement allows you to
pursue the things you love outside of work. Maybe it’s a creative
career, maybe it’s spending great quality time with the family. You
still get the benefits of a salaried employee, such as sick leave and
annual leave.
Cons: There’s probably less job security with this
kind of structure. Frugality becomes a big deal, if you want to maintain
your quality of life while also working less hours. It can also mean
working in industries that demand unusual hours, such as hospitality,
where you can work nights or weekends.
Scenario #4: Self-Employed
You are your own boss. You make your own coffee, send your own mail
and book your own plane flights. You work your own hours, and-
theoretically at least- can take time off when you want it.
Pros: You da boss! You can structure your business
how you want it, set up your working week to best suit your lifestyle
and choose what work you do.
Cons: People who are self-employed generally work
all the time. It seems contrary, but working for yourself means the buck
stops with you and if you don’t do it, it won’t get done. There’s also
practically no job security, and you need to structure your finance
around providing your own superannuation and emergency fund
No comments:
Post a Comment