Hrs per week

[Jack Wiesenthaler]

I recently met a software developer that works for a MAJOR company here in Southern California. According to him he was REQUIRED to work 60 hrs a week. He leaves at 9am and sometimes works till 10pm. I found this pretty damn crazy and felt it is not the norm so I thought I'd take a quick poll.

How many hours a week do you guys work on average? For me it's about 40-45 hrs, I don't work on weekends because I very firmly believe in keeping a balance of work and play. I work very hard and play very hard, that is my philosophy ;-)

[Mike Gershman]

And the next time they downsize your department, your boss will make sure you have plenty of play time.

[Jagdish Kala]

When the market is bad, you have to put more hours. Very few people can risk their job taking it easy in the difficult times. Also depends on the comapny. I used to put 60 hrs before but now I work around 45 hrs. As you said, it's very important to strike the balance between work and life (not play for me).

BTW how is the market in southern california and bay area now? I know it wasn't good in 2003 and most of 2004.

[Jack Wiesenthaler]

Originally posted by Mike Gershman:
And the next time they downsize your department, your boss will make sure you have plenty of play time.

You think so? I haven't been laid off from a job in the last 6 years. I had a job even when others were laid off from my team during the IT downturn. Some people can work 40 hrs a week and get results. Some people need to work 60 hrs a week and still be clueless ;-)

[Jack Wiesenthaler]

Jagdish, to answer your question.. the market is not too bad Many companies seem to be expanding their teams right now.

[Anonymous]

I also would say, there seem to be appearing new projects at the time. OK, not as often or as paying like the "before the collapse" but not that horrible even.

[Mark Spritzler]

I'd say the Southern California market has gotten pretty hot. In my search last month, I was getting at least 3 phone calls a day from recruiters, and interviews all over the place.

Mark