re: is it time to reduce the workday and work week in the US?

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We work more than any other 1st world country, and spend less time with our loved ones.

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aren't you a govt worker?

I propose that the work week end at noon on Friday and begin at noon on Monday. Violators face jail time and fines.

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Ehhh.

Everyone has different but I just value my personal time and time with friends and family too much to make that little amount of money.

I can understand busting your arse like crazy if it means retiring at 40 or something, but working 2700-3000 hours a year for an amount that won't net you anything better than solidly middle class is just not even remotely enticing.

I guess you save on vacations and luxury expenses because you work all day everyday. I wouldn't call that living.

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I wasn't necessarily thinking in terms of pure economic income. If you're working that much and making that kind of salary in your twenties, odds are that you are in a certain kind of profession (namely, professional services of some sort). Working that much, getting a few notable achievements early, creating a broad network, and adding many skills to your repertoire really pays off for those people down the line.

I know loads of people in law, banking, consulting, tech, etc. that worked like dogs at a big name company for four or five years out of college or grad school that set themselves up incredibly well. They wouldn't have been able to set themselves up like that had they not done their time, learned their skills, created that network, etc. They also really learned their industry and learned to work a lot smarter.

A pretty good example would be a guy that worked four years at a name investment bank (making something like that salary) that eventually got picked up by a private equity firm and now makes double his old salary at 30 years old with 60% of the hours; he's now on partner track. Or the girl who dogged it at Jones Day for six years before being hired as in-house counsel somewhere making a lot more than she used to and working less.

You can't get to that next level without taking those first steps. When these people hit their early 30's, they are living very well, traveling whenever and wherever they want, buying nice condos or homes, etc.

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Regardless, my original post in this thread was more about the GED holding plant and field baws that think they "gamed the system" by making 100k a year working 80 hours a week.

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It's what they choose to do. I see no problem with it

I actually wish I could get 10 or so more hours a week.

(no message)

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You live in Germany?

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No, i do not

yes, although i don't punch a clock or anything like that.

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I wouldn't wish big law on anyone lol. Prime example of it not being worth it.

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I'm not a lawyer, but it seemed like those I know who went through it came out pretty well on the other side, though. Would you say the odds of ending up in a primo spot are better post-Big Law than if someone hadn't gone through it? I am not familiar enough with the labor market, but that's always been my impression.

It is definitely the case in banking and consulting.

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Regardless, my original post in this thread was more about the GED holding plant and field baws that think they "gamed the system" by making 100k a year working 80 hours a week.

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Yea, definitely don't disagree, but there could be value for some of those folks in the trades if there's a learning curve to their trade and they're building a potential future customer base. Those guys who are smart about it can have an easier life with a much higher income down the line if they do it right. But yea, working 80 hours a week just for the salary is dumb.

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Also, the people you're talking about (professionals) make way more than 100k if they are in a big name firm that demands insane hours.

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Mostly, yes, but it can depend on the city and the field.

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Would you say the odds of ending up in a primo spot are better post-Big Law than if someone hadn't gone through it?

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Odds are probably better but not probably not proportionally so.

Also, even at top firms, your billing requirements aren't gonna be much more than 2200/year or so.

If you are good at capturing your time, you can hit that working ~50 hours per week.