Working Stiff

Dear Alisa and Gina,

Many of the people where are work tend to come in late, waste time, and don’t really get started until late in the day, then work until late at night. I come in on time, and would like to leave at 5. Many of them are single, but I have a family and want to get home to them. The only thing is, it’s hard to leave at 5 when everyone else is staying until 7 or 8 or later. Every so often in a meeting someone will refer to the fact that I leave on time (which they refer to as “early.”) I’m starting to worry about my job – but I get my job done, and even work through my lunch hour most of the time. What’s wrong with working regular hours? It seems like for some people their job is their social life, but it’s not for me. How can I still go home at a decent hour and not risk my job? ~ 9 to 5-er

You are such a goody-two-shoes, working a full day, getting your job done, and then leaving on time to get home to your family. Where are your values? ~ Gina

People talk about peer pressure in middle school but it really never ends. Here’s a time to speak up for yourself. Make it clear to everyone what time you arrive at work. Have a conversation with your boss about expectations. Once those two items are in order, you may feel more at ease with your choices. ~ Alisa