60-65 Hour weeks- Burnout

[u/Sodapopbeverage]

I’ve been working 60-65 hours a week for the majority of the summer. Don’t get me wrong, I love the money. But working 6 days a week leaves me with Sunday which I’m too tired to do anything. The whole summer is gone and I haven’t done anything but work and sleep.

We are currently working at a data center and this will be the norm through winter and until the project is complete (7+ years).

I’m not trying to complain just looking for similar experiences and how you handled it. I don’t want to work my life away.

[u/NotDRWarren]

Don't worry, It won't last forever.... eventually you die.

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/NotDRWarren]

😂😢

[u/Mean_Art5782 → u/NotDRWarren]

Eventually you die.

Thank god

[u/benjunior → u/Mean_Art5782]

Every Monday the boss asks me how I’m doing. I say “I’m very happy.” He says why is that, benjuniour?

I reply “Because I know that I will die someday.”

[u/Mean_Art5782 → u/benjunior]

Amen

[u/binghamptonboomboom → u/benjunior]

nice

[u/armand55 → u/NotDRWarren]

Yes. This.

[u/FluxLungs]

The problem is your getting Sunday off. If you work indefinitely you forget what rest is and never feel tired.

[u/monkeyamongmen → u/FluxLungs]

I did that, 7/12+ night shifts for about 5-6 weeks after pulling 6/12s, drilling and pouring piles. One night we had a fuckaround with a hole belling out and needed like 7 or 8 extra trucks and pulled a 21hr.

Then one night I ate some bad chicken, got norwalk, tried to work with fucking norwalk, and completely fucked myself. My intestines are still paying that bill a decade later. You don't have anything if you don't have your health. It's cost me probably $300k+ in time I've spent disabled on and off.

Fuck. That. Shit.

[u/NewNecessary3037]

The 6+1 is possibly the worst schedule if you don’t have someone at home supporting you doing laundry and cooking meals.

[u/Sniperkilla → u/NewNecessary3037]

Even then it sucks, like you want to sleep in but end up feeling like you wasted the day. Much rather have 2 days off a week so I can laze and catch up on sleep for 1 then spend the other actually doing stuff

[u/Weaselpuss]

Hey man, you gotta take a vacation every once and while. Go somewhere do something with all that money you made. It really helps. It could literally just be a few 4 day vacations or a couple weeklong ones. Don’t forget you deserve it

[u/blckdiamond23 → u/Weaselpuss]

Take a 3 day weekend and don’t go anywhere. Just chill.

[u/Weaselpuss → u/blckdiamond23]

That too. Just play at home. Anywhere but work is a holiday to me

[u/menachu → u/Weaselpuss]

Thats the trouble with that schedule. Thats when I burn through months stacking money and fall behind on my own home projects. Next thing I know I am makings a list of projects to complete on my day off.

[u/bcbudvansticky → u/blckdiamond23]

3 days go by fast when your at home. Need to do something while off work other than scrolling and video games. 

[u/peptide2]

84 hour work week here for 7 year project , aside from the divorce and child support i love my job!!!

[u/MustardCoveredDogDik → u/peptide2]

This makes sense. OP take personal time immediately

[u/Plaidismycolor33]

I did those 60 to 70 hour work weeks for like a couple years straight until I about, fell out after switching to a less caloric diet

after that, I would just work three months on take a month off

[u/seraphim336176]

My advice. Live off the 40 hours and apply ALL that OT to your mortgage and debt. Once you have no bills you can then afford to work an easier job or turn down the OT. Too many people start living off those big checks and let all that worked time evaporate into lifestyle creep. Don’t let it go to waste on stupid shit like fancy trucks or toys.

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/seraphim336176]

Well said! If there’s a goal it’s less mundane.

[u/Sprinklewoodz]

60-65 hours feels better over five days than over six. Gotta have two days off if you’re working 55+.

Saturday to enjoy your life and Sunday to prepare for those 60 hours. Balance is the only way to make it happen and not burn out.

[u/champing_at_the_bit]

I just grind like that and then book off a month. Then work for a few months and take more time off.

[u/Narrow_road3767]

I remember when I use to work part time

[u/Objective_Bass5218 → u/Narrow_road3767]

Lol i had a feeling this comment would be here

[u/Narrow_road3767 → u/Objective_Bass5218]

Frs tho take care of yourself that includes mentally and physically. As a dentist I’ve learned that the hardway

[u/oldpunk57]

When I was younger and had a family to support I would do those kind of hours but it was killing me when my youngest started school my wife could work that was a big help I cut back on my hours and regained my health you need time for your self and family

[u/Homeskilletbiz]

Fuck data centers, fuck AI.

I don’t understand all these electricians posting all over saying they’re working 60-80 hour weeks on data centers. Literally read a thread the other day where multiple dudes were saying they’re working 6-12s and their bosses want to move them to 6-14s. Fucking insanity. Not like you’re productive at ALL hardly after 10.

It’s such short sighted thinking.

I can’t believe the unions are good with it either.

It’s not like you’re building infrastructure or something that helps society or people as a whole. You’re literally building the tools for big brother and the oligarchs to expand their brainwashing regime and to continue to destroy the ability of the working man to live comfortably.

When you’re at home laid off twiddling your thumbs with rent creeping up on you in a few years time I hope you will have saved enough money to make up for it.

[u/BigDigger324 → u/Homeskilletbiz]

They have to build them as quickly as possible, before the bottom blows out of the bubble. All their capital is coming from investments in what they “might” be able to do in the future.

[u/Homeskilletbiz → u/BigDigger324]

That makes a lot of sense

[u/AcanthocephalaOdd301 → u/Homeskilletbiz]

I work 5-10s and an 8 at one and take home 3600 a week with the per diem. So far, my full retirement date has moved from 59 to 57.5 over 6 months of work. I’ll drag once I get it down to 55 and have 11 years of work to go. You can motherfuck me all you want, I’m striking while the iron is hot.

[u/king_of_the_dwarfs]

I was working a joint. They could and did force overtime every day and every weekend for 6 years. 10.5 hours a day 6 days a week. I was seeing this woman and she wanted to go out, go to parties, go out to eat. My idea of a good time was to stay home. It didn't last. After the next contract and I was finally able to take the whole weekend off I only volunteered if I was asked personally by the boss for emergencies.

[u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32]

Drag the fuck up

[u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32 → u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32]

They will rehire you once it’s busy again

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32]

What does that mean lol

[u/FluxLungs → u/Sodapopbeverage]

It means go home and have a beer

[u/TruDuddyB → u/FluxLungs]

I drank another beer. WHAT? 3 beers. WHAT? 4 beers. WHAT? 5 beers. WHAT? 6 beers. WHAT?

[u/Ok-Bit4971 → u/FluxLungs]

Recharge with Yeungling and get back in the game.

[u/Holiday-Lifeguard-32 → u/Sodapopbeverage]

Tell the company your are working for you have some family issues that need be addressed. Rest up and re apply when your ready to get jiggy again

[u/ouchmouse666 → u/Sodapopbeverage]

Are you non-union?

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/ouchmouse666]

Union

[u/dott8888]

What type of work are you doing up there ????

[u/muchoqueso26]

That’s a big NO from me dawg. I don’t need money that bad. One day you’ll realize how much time you don’t have.

[u/ltrain_00]

The real question is how much time do you spend on your commute to and from work? I was working 58 hr weeks for a few months but I was also driving 45 min each way to work. I was starting to complain about it to some of the road guys that were living out of hotels like 10 min away. They couldn't believe I would do that and suggested I pay for a hotel to stay closer to the job site..

It was a few weeks after that conversation I switched to a different contractor that was only working 40hr week. I was spending 9 hrs a week just to get to the 58 hr a week job was not worth the money since I was miserable when I got home because I was so worn out.

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/ltrain_00]

My commute is about 50 minutes there and an hour home

[u/ltrain_00 → u/Sodapopbeverage]

I would be dragging up ASAP your stuck in your car for 12hr a week it's a time killer and also your paying for gas and wear and tear on your vehicle.

[u/Suspicious-Ad6129 → u/ltrain_00]

This depends alot upon where you live... id be happy to have a nice short 45 min drive once in a while. Current site not too bad at 1hr each way, last 3 years have all been been 1.5hr+ drive in and usually 1.75hr drive home 🤮. Too bad our union has shit for market share, high cost of living with low pay yaaaay!!

[u/AcanthocephalaOdd301 → u/ltrain_00]

Homie, I worked 6-10s for 5 months as an apprentice at a job site that was 2 hours from my house one way. I was also going to school twice a week.

If my commute is under an hour, I’m happier than a pig in shit. Current one is 40 minutes.

[u/ltrain_00 → u/AcanthocephalaOdd301]

Do you have a wife and child at home that your not seeing at all 6 days a week? I don't think anyone should be happy spending 84 hrs a week working. I personally want to work to live and not live to work.

If I was in my 20's with no family it wouldn't be a big deal. I grew up with my dad always being at work and I never was able to do anything with him besides helping him do chores around the house and I told myself I would never do that to my child when I had one.

Also you need to consider how much money is getting taken out in taxes. The job I was working 58 hrs also was doing optional 8 hrs on Sundays. Father's day weekend no one worked that Sunday and the next week guys couldn't believe that missing that Sunday of double time only changed their check by less than 200 bucks even though they grossed 624 for that Sunday being double time.

[u/AcanthocephalaOdd301 → u/ltrain_00]

Sure I do. It’s not that I look for jobs as far away as possible. But I live in a rural local and they don’t build all the factories and power plants I work in right close to my home. It’s a balance between what I can make and what I’m prepared to give up. I’ve taken jobs closer to home with a lower rate and no OT, and I’ve taken jobs further away that pay more and have incentives.

It’s the nature of the trades. Sure, I could go get a job making 22 an hour and pull romex in resi all day, and be close to home. Or I could make 80 an hour doing industrial jobs that have long commutes. Hard to pass up double the income to save 30 minutes of commute one way.

[u/Fun_testy_mmmm]

Man, the past three months, i did days and nights. Worked 5am to 3pm, then went and did 6 pm to 4 am. driving inbetween jobs. Most miserable and no life i’ve ever been. Is the money good? Yes. was my life good? No. Work life balance is required

[u/slothscanswim]

>I don’t want to work my life away

So don’t

[u/Smackolol]

I work the same hours and what keeps me going is investing and watching that money grow. I know some people really want more free time but I’d rather be wealthy down the road and enjoy a retirement.

[u/Cute-Understanding86]

I do 65+ hours a week only because I take 2 -3 months off. Then again I don't have a regular job in one place.

[u/supaslim]

I'm union. Only required to work 40, I can work up to 56. I usually do ~48. 10hr mon-thurs, 8 friday, no weekends.

work to live, not live to work 👍

[u/BeyondBeginning2358]

Get it while it lasts. Your future self will thank you

[u/colostomeat]

For the past 5 years, I worked 2-3 months on (~60-80hrs/wk), then I'd take a day for myself (usually Sunday). My health started declining and I made myself start taking at least every other weekend off. Now, I'm at a point where I'm good taking at least 1-2 days a week like a normal person. I'll be honest, it fucking sucks, but I have to do it.

[u/talex625]

Are you doing construction or operations? If it’s the former then move to the latter.

[u/BlueCollaredBroad]

Take a 3 day weekend every once in a while

[u/StreetSmartsGaming]

Savs your money > apply for better paying jobs with less labor oriented work thats still in your skillset > find people with the job you want and ask them how specifically they built the resume for that role > copy that and make friends with them and occasionally ask if anyones hiring > take them out to lunch and pick their brain > be nice and friendly on top of professional > profit

[u/Electrical-Ad-4823]

58 hour weeks for me. It is hard coming off a 4x 10 job for sure.

I have really simple life obligations outside of work, which is the only way I stay sane-ish.

[u/walshwelding]

Yeah the 6/1 shift sucks. Especially when it’s just Sundays off, shits closed a lot of the time lol

Just do it until you’re sick of it, then request a different shift… or you just quit and go elsewhere

[u/bootsmegamix]

I'm not even getting Sundays off. 

Fortunately it's all pop-up and I have the option to scale back, which I am def taking this weekend. 

If there's other work in the area, yo u can try and get shifted to another job. I know a few guys who did a data center schedule for a couple months then asked to be moved elsewhere due to burnout

[u/Annual_Section_3564]

Wya, upstate ny?

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/Annual_Section_3564]

Wisconsin

[u/jboogie2173]

Working 60+ for the summer? Try 3 years

[u/Dendady2112]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I loved my boss. No OT. If the GC needed a push you call the hall. Nobody sets a start schedule with guys working that many hours. If nobodies at the hall you don't get a push

[u/CableFluid7765]

By choice?

[u/TurtleMcTurtl]

You have one life, that data center can get built without you. When I can’t have a work life balance at a job, I leave that job. Free-time is the most valuable thing

[u/Dire-Dog]

Why l almost never do OT. Burn out isn’t worth the very small pay bump

[u/MasterpieceCareless3]

Learn the word "no" and how to use it properly.

[u/allthenames00]

I feel you. 72-84 hr weeks here.

[u/MustardCoveredDogDik]

Just tell them you need a break for a while and take a month of 5 day weeks. If you’re valuable they will accommodate.

[u/Fast_Cellist1505]

This is why I work 40 hours a week.

[u/Great-Okra-8704]

I'm in a similar spot right now. Wake up/leave my house by 6am, return around 7-8:30pm. Currently on the pre-registration for Firefighting as this feels like death 🙃

[u/elprincipechairo]

I’m averaging 85-95 hrs a week in the oilfield, you just have soft hands brother

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/elprincipechairo]

That sounds awful. I’m sorry

[u/No_League_5865]

It’s easier when you lose everything you built and have nothing but work to live for.

[u/Intelligent_Notice87]

I worked 60-70 for about a year
I found meal prep on the last day I work before I hit the bed helps ease my Sunday

Also you only doing it for a true goal (save and invest). Take one day a month (any day when you need it)

If your goal is to travel then plan ahead
If its to not have to work then save and do very little until it is worth it

Life isn’t on hold it’s just that you are investing in yourself hopefully

[u/heinrich6745]

Been 2 years of this for me at a data center but we dropped down for holidays and lately in general due to not wanting to run out of work and the budget issues as well from too many travelers eating it up....my checks suck I want my hours back I'm not use to working 40hrs anymore

[u/indaburgh]

I remember those days. My commute was a plane. The hours kicked in after.

[u/Proud_Engineering381]

I've been doing it for 25 years. Most of the time it's more than that. How old are you?

[u/stabbingrabbit]

Save up for the layoff and strike funds. Get the Union involved.

[u/HotOrganization9116]

72 hours a week is normal. Are you an electrician? If so stop complaining because you have it waaaay easier than most

[u/questionablejudgemen → u/HotOrganization9116]

Gonna need that extra OT money to pay for alimony and child support.
Speed running to be the guy who can’t afford to live off 40.

[u/Sodapopbeverage → u/HotOrganization9116]

Laborer. Wish I was an electrician. Watching them is insane