My Work Life Balance is in Jeopardy!

This just in from a WCW reader: “Dear Alex, my new department works really hard. How can I maintain the work/life balance I’ve tried so desperately to attain?”
One of my favorite managers used to say that perception is reality, and there is nothing stronger than a perception formed on the basis of a first impression. Whether you have a clock-watcher as a boss or not, it’s crucial that you are on your best behavior during your first month at a new job. Be aware that everyone is watching you, so make sure to arrive on time for work. Remember that half the battle is showing up, so don’t get caught by someone’s attendance radar.
It’s not a bad idea to be seen eating lunch at your desk a few times so that your coworkers keep that image in their minds. If you do go out, don’t run over the allotted hour, and refrain from midday workouts at the gym until you’re well established at the company. At the end of the day, carefully watch what time people in your department leave the office. You should aim to depart at the midpoint. You don’t want to be the first one out the door, but if you’re the last one, you’ll set a precedent that you are willing to work through dinner for the rest of your days at that company.
In a department that continually emphasizes work over personal time, it’s critical that you make sure your boss and colleagues see early on that you have a life outside business hours. Remind your manager about the leadership class you take on Thursday evenings, or the important volunteer work you do on the weekends. Don’t get into the habit of breaking plans with family or friends so that you can get one step closer to burnout. Remember that in most cases, the work will be there to finish tomorrow.
It should go without saying – but I’ll say it anyway – that you should work hard at your job too. If you prefer to take the easy way out and get in and out of the office without breaking a sweat, then this is probably not the right place for you. But if you always get your work done, stay late under unique circumstances where it’s truly necessary, and even log in occasionally at an odd hour, you will be perceived as a hard-working, can-do employee regardless of the physical hours spent in the office.
Article by Alexandra Levit and courtesy of Water Cooler Wisdom blog.

Originally posted by Candice A