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How is work life balance at Citi Risk Team?
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Start with making it concrete. If all the to do’s are floating around in your head, it’s easy to rationalize that they’re all equally as urgent. The truth is, the person making a request shouldn’t make it urgent. The type of request determines urgency. You set boundaries by silencing your phone, putting up a return message on your email, etc.
“Thank you for your message, I will respond to you by ____ tomorrow. In case of emergency, please call/message ____.” Then get a Google voice number that is just emergencies.
As you begin, have a conversation with the people who make the requests of you. Make it professional. “I know in the past I’ve been available at all times but I now realize I need to establish some boundaries to protect myself and my families time. I will be available immediately only for emergencies. Thank you for respecting this.” Most people will take this well.
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^Fantastic advice. When I was a young teacher I would be available at all times, even during breaks and summer. At year ten, I put an end to this practice.
I agree with ESGST1. You have to set boundaries. The message offered is a great one. There really isn’t an example I can think of that would be urgent that you would have to reply to during break. As suggested, direct @emergencies to the police or the hospital, otherwise things can be handled after break, period. Make no exceptions.
For your peace of mind, you need to be able to receive email messages and voice mails whenever they come in. That doesn't mean you have to respond immediately to each and every one of them. However, it does give you the heads-up you need in the event there is an immediate need for your involvement and attention. Let's be honest. There are very few earth-shaking emergencies that cannot wait for a few days. I don't know how your school district is set up, but in ours the principals' salary is based on being a 12-month employee and is allowed a two-week vacation during the summer between the end of school and the start of the new school year. They have the other school holidays off, but are expected to be on-call to respond to any major issues. Those responsibilities come along with the bigger check, the office, the secretary, and not having to deal directly with a classroom of kids every day. If its too much for you, I suppose you could always resign and go back to teaching 5th grade.
Not really helpful. That attitude of “if you can’t handle it, you can go back to being a teacher” is insulting. What you just said is your teachers don’t work as hard as you while in the same breath talking about all the benefits you have (ie more money, secretary, absence of a class of kids all day) that they do not. Regardless of what level you are at in a school system, finding a work/life balance is essential to maintaining healthy relationships and avoiding burnout (and regret). The demands placed on teachers is not less, it’s different. If you think it is less for teachers, you may want to remind yourself why you left the classroom.
By the way, one of the first signs of burnout is a lack of empathy. Another sign, responding defensively or flippantly when being asked for help or clarity. And the trifecta, automatically assuming that the actions of the people you lead are intentionally defiant, deceptive, or inept leading to feelings of anger and resentment. This applies to teachers and administrators and can be clues to when it’s time to seek help. You can’t give what you don’t have. It’s hard to take care of others when you are not being cared for yourself. I will tell people to think about what they say on airplanes. In the event of an emergency, you need to put the mask on yourself before assisting others. There is a sound reason for this.
Develop a structure. We try to respond within 24 hours, but during school hours. If someone emails you on Friday night they shouldn't expect a response until Monday. For emergency situations you should have another special system in place.
I hope that this winter break is giving you some reprieve. My own job as a SPED teacher requires MANY non-contract hours/ week to keep up, so I absolutely feel your need for sometimes stepping back. Like a previous respondent said, all levels in education require much mental energy.
Just a comment about all those emails and needed responses that I noticed in my own, and I found this a bit curious. …I work most weekends on my own because I cannot keep up during the week. I tend to generate more considered email responses and queries when not in the immediate bustle of the classroom. To be respectful of other’s time, they would be scheduled to send out Monday a.m. Before beginning that practice, email responses would be generally within 24 hrs. The ones posted on Monday typically would not be responded to at all. It seems turning off is hard for many of us!