No dreaded commutes. No managers or co-workers yelling around in the morning. No one stealing your favorite lunch. Working remotely is amazing but it comes with its own share of challenges. For instance, the line between personal and professional space has blurred so much that people are now expected to work 24×7.
Recently, a woman shared how her sister’s boss complained that she wasn’t working over the weekend (Read: Available 24×7) like her male colleagues. Her sister, who works as a data scientist, was asked to be more like her male counterparts who never switch off their work stations. What?!
My sister, who's the only female data scientist in her company, was told by her boss today that she should learn from her male colleagues who work relentlessly over the weekend and never switch off their work stations (1/2)
— Karan Tripathi 🏳️🌈 (@TripathiGee) January 13, 2021
The woman further mentioned how females bear more responsibilities while working from home compared to their male co-workers. Not only do they have to manage office work but they also do all the domestic chores at home.
The WFH culture has invisibilised the gendered struggles of navigating personal and professional life. Offices are becoming ignorant towards the disproportionate burden of WFH on women, who manage work alongside expectations of being the primary performer of domestic duties
— Karan Tripathi 🏳️🌈 (@TripathiGee) January 13, 2021
In a time when people are fighting for gender equality in workplaces, it’s distressing to see the woman’s boss compare her to her male counterparts. Not only that, it’s inadequate to expect someone to be available 24×7 for work. Irrespective of your gender, working non-stop is not only bad for your mental health but also for your emotional well-being.
Many people online shared the unrealistic expectations set by their bosses:
Once my boss questioned my lack of availability over weekends & I told him ‘that I don’t have a wife to run my household & hence I cannot work every weekend’ poor soul was taken aback and from next time onwards he would check before assigning tasks on weekends! #Menareclueless
— Godhuli (@godhuliaa) January 13, 2021
Way to go. I am male, and I had to pick up my daugther from day care and I was asked to stay back, I told the person I’d gladly work if he baby sat my child
— Cnuga (@cnuga) January 13, 2021
My boss once proudly told me that he has never attended final exam Report Card day of both his kids and looked at me as if I was crazy to go to collect my kid’s report. He wanted me to travel to another city. He also added he hadn’t gone for annual day or sports days. Jerk. 😡
— Jungle calling (@waghobhaa) January 14, 2021
I was told by my female boss that I should not be complaining about working late as I was just staring off my career and compared me to her husband(works at a bank) who has been working late hours since past 15 years.
— Apoorva (@monopoco00) January 13, 2021
Others pointed out how working overtime is not health for anyone:
The boss is completely wrong by expecting everyone to be available over the weekend. And, the male colleagues are also setting a bad example for others by following this. Everyone has a life beyond job.
She should have been judged by her quality of work.
— Ritesh Mahato (just reactivated) (@Ritesh_7l) January 13, 2021
Irrespective of gender, working beyond office hours and performance evaluation based on 24/7 availability shall never be encouraged.
— ABMR (@bhatt_03) January 13, 2021
The issue is not payment. I’m sure every company pays for holiday working. The question is whether the compensation is enough to sacrifice your personal/family time? Most people, if given the choice, wouldn’t want to sacrifice their time for a few extra bucks
— Ahl-e-hawas (@truly_biased) January 13, 2021
It’s not even an issue about duties of male vs. female. It is just ethically & morally wrong to even expect ur employees to be available over the ‘off hours’ (except some rare occasions)!! This is the 21st century & slavery is banned!
— Mir Ahmed (@Myaa0) January 14, 2021
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is very essential in life. After all, working non-stop might ultimately affect your productivity too. What do you think? Tell us!