After reading a very nice, straightforward and absolutely eye-opening comment from Renee Dall about my last blog posting, I realized I need to be more open-minded, thoughful and smart. My apologies if I offended anyone.

 

Renee pointed out that she is not a disengaged employee at all, however because of her home life responsibilities, she must leave at 5pm every day.

 

Renee is right. Not every employee that leaves at 5pm is a disengaged employee. They may have to pick up children from day care, run middle schoolers to baseball practice, or just be the person they need to be when they are not at work.

 

 

I think it is time to start giving credit to our often overlooked Gen X crowd, the ones who most likely have children of Day Care age, who must be extremely productive during those hours because they don't have the luxury of staying past 5pm. They are focused on beating the clock every single day. That is a skill.

 

When I worked at this particular company with Emily, I often felt guilty leaving the office at 5pm. Besides Emily, I worked among a group of Boomers who never left before 6. I don't have children to pick up. No second job to run to. No extra curricular activities to attend. So why would I leave at 5pm even though that was the time that I was required to work until? Because that was the work environment I was in. This is how that group operated. It often seemed like a contest to see who could get there the earliest and who could stay the latest. The sad part it, they would reward this behavior, making those who didn't participate feel less valuable.

 

If I started packing up around 5pm, I would get looks and last minute requests, like it was a test of my dedication. Still young in my career, I would often throw down my stuff and boot my computer back up to complete the last minute task. I needed to prove myself.  In the beginning, walking through a dark and empty parking garage at the end of the day felt good, like I was somebody, but then it became lonely. I was sick of never seeing the Florida sunshine or meeting friends for a happy hour. I lasted one year at the company before I left. It didn't work for me anymore. I wanted my life back.

 

I then went to work for another company who didn't care what time I left as long as I achieved my goals. I was there almost four years. I loved it. I was dedicated and productive. It worked for me.

 

Working from home now I don't have to worry about this anymore. Should I return to an office atmosphere, I will be leaving at 5pm. Not because I will have children to pick up or another responsibility, but because I want to enjoy what's left of the day. Grab a cocktail with friends. Stop at the Gap for a new shirt. Make dinner for my husband. I want to enjoy life. It is my life. If my employer doesn't like it, then I'll have to find one that does. 

 

Yes, I am a Gen Y. But I think that Boomers, Gen Xers and Cuspers (people who fall in between generations) would agree with me. People want balance. Employers must comply.