I'm reading this book on boundaries. In the work section it says I should tell my boss that I can't work after 5 PM. Knowing that advertising work commonly goes past 5 PM...would my job be in danger if I said that?
There's not really a rule book that says I must work until the work is done even though it's an unsaid expectation. Thoughts?

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I've never explicitly said it, but I've rarely worked past 6pm in the last year. There are other ways to set boundaries. If it's not an emergency, I'm not bothering with it. If I don't need to respond right away, I don't. If someone else was dragging their feet and threw it to me at 5 o clock, great. I'll pick it up in the morning.

However, if we're up against it, I'm the one they turn to to get it done. If we need a campaign in a weekend, I'm on it. CCO just blew up your pitch deck and we're pitching in 2 days? Hit me up.

My point being, there are times in this industry we need to work hours we don't want to. But those times don't include junior account panic or daily internal swirl.

likehelpful

So beautifully put and spot in. Set your own boundaries in a reasonable way.

like

6pm is more like the typical end of day when you’re not in a crunch. When you’re on a pitch or other tight deadline of course it’s different. I think saying you can’t work after 5 ever would probably make you sound a bit like you don’t understand the industry. That said it can help to get in the habit of answering emails that come in after 6:30ish only the next morning. I’ve also seen people schedule yoga, walk, etc at the end of the workday.

likefunny

Yes, you will limit your career and advancement oppty if you say that.

Is your job in danger? If you’re US based you are an “at will” employee. You can be fired for any reason* or no reason. So yes. If you aren’t very careful you will find yourself a less desirable employee.

* subject to protected classes race:religion:etc

likefunny

Maybe spend less time reading self help books and more time optimizing your work flow. Can’t be bothered to work past 5? Plenty of folks out there who can.

likefunny

I don’t think you need to tell your boss explicitly, but if your day ends at 5, then you act accordingly. Shut down, stop checking and responding to email, texts, pings and walk away until the day starts tomorrow. Of course, if you’re working on a project that’s running late and causing you to work late, adjust. But make that the exception and not the rule.

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If you’re interested in trying the exercises for boundaries in the book, you could try doing this once (“I will not be available after 5 next Tuesday because of a prior commitment”) or taking time off for a recurring appointment (eg: “I will be unavailable between 11am and noon every Tuesday for a medical appointment”). Many books like these don’t necessarily tailor their advice to your specific needs, the way advice from a therapist would

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Depends, are you working from 9-5? Or from 10-6? You should probably be meeting the 8 hours.

funny

That’s the reason I’m trying to get out of the field.

I don’t really work past 5 unless it’s my choice to. Sometimes I work into the 7pm range, but those days I take time off mid day to go to the gym to find balance. :)

@SAE1 I work in pharma, and on an account that has a variety of routine deliverables. I think we are well supported from a PM and Account standpoint in making plans, sticking to them, and saying no where we have to. Our biggest stresses usually come from not having enough junior creative staff for the work that is less intensive but voluminous. If we ever have long days it’s because our senior creatives are doing both busy work as much as they’re doing high level work and that can make the day languish. It’s important to find those 90-120m gaps in the day and take your time where you can.

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At my first agency I was ignorant and really wanted everyone to think I was a team player.

At my second agency I immediately set boundaries by NOT responding to anything after 6 PM. I may have even still been working, but I’d use “send later” for any emails.

Once in a while you might get on a pitch or a launch or something even as simple as polishing a deck the night before a client presentation that you and your team will need to handle, but normal day-to-day is up to you.

Re do oh no thanks again we we are we

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