Motivation to work
@wfhchristiner (352)
Canada
October 26, 2012 8:58pm CST
I work in Accounting, and as a Professional, we are obliged to work late whenever required, eventhough there is no overtime paid. Month end, year-end, budget time, are definitely the time to work late. In addition, there is always ad hoc reporting, analysis that needs to be done for management urgently. As usual, everything is URGENT, like there is no day tomorrow. That's the life of an Accountant. I am used to it. But the whole company, other employees are not doing the same thing. They said why do you work that hard, no promotion, no raise, no bonuses paid, so why do you have to work hard. They don't know how accountant works. If the Executive management want something, should you say to the VP wait for tomorrow, cause I need to go home now? IT Director comes at 10.30 leave at 4pm. Office is empty at 9. Most come at 9.15-9.30am, chat in lunch room, then by 5pm everybody is gone. I have carpool with my friend. The day that we have to carpool, by 4.45 he already ping me in BBM "closing down.. I am ready", something along that line. I wonder how to be still motivated to work, if all your friends and colleagues are not doing it. Sometimes, I am so frustrated, I have to work late, but I didn't get anything out of it. What do you do in my case?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@wfhchristiner (352)
• Canada
28 Oct 12
As professional, we are obliged by the profession, so we can't ask for overtime. I start telling my manager, yes, I will do it and finish it tomorrow. I let him know that it's time to go home. I try to let him know, that I am not willing to stay late, unless it is absolutely necessary.
@Bhebelen14 (5194)
• Philippines
27 Oct 12
I believe you need a new job that really pays your overtime. I know it is somewhat illegal to have no corresponding for extra hours worked here in my country. In that way, you will be motivated to work. I understand where you're coming from since my husband is an accountant, he works with no fixed hours and I understand his job. Good luck to us. Thanks
@wfhchristiner (352)
• Canada
28 Oct 12
Thanks! You know the situation from your husband. Yes, accounting staffs work like a slave.
@KrauseHome (36445)
• United States
27 Oct 12
Everytime I hear of situations like yours, I wonder how people do it, and how legal is it to make people continue to work like this without paying overtime. I know even in my own company I work for, it has happened. But when it calls for deadlines on things or there is no one else that can do what you are doing but you, I guess it is definately required. Wish there was an easier answer and way, and somehow something that would make it worth while as well.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
27 Oct 12
I think that it can be very hard to find the motivation to be able to to work at the best of times, but when you're not even getting paid for the work that you're doing then this is even worse. I think that you should have a word with your manager, because you shouldn't be made to do work that you're not even being paid for. I just think that it is very wrong indeed and you should be given at least a little something for your efforts. I wouldn't work for no money, and I honestly don't see why other people would choose to do so.
@wfhchristiner (352)
• Canada
28 Oct 12
My manager is even crazier than me. He starts earlier and leave later than me. Our VP is in other location, so he never see us work. We only report to him, and see our finish report. That's the difficult part. He doesn't even know if I work late or not. Because the reports come from my manager! He is the one who reports to VP, and he gets the credit. Not me the staff. This is why it is hard for me to maintain the motivation to work!
@tedifa (1232)
• Indonesia
29 Oct 12
To get motivation in work can come from the little thing.Since now,in the morning or before go to bedroom,please write what you gonna do today.Make your notes becomes true and celebrate your self for your victory.After you're always enjoy did the little thing you can start to big thing.It will be your motivation to work though your friends seems doesn't care bout you.Soon or later your boss will see your progress,who know you'll got promote someday.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
6 Nov 12
I used to work in the accounting department of my previous company and I was the one in charge of payroll. It is difficult working on this job since it is required that employees should be paid on time holiday or not. I remember those days when I had to work on Christmas day just so the employees will get their pay in time. There was only the timekeeper and me but we didn't feel like it was too much of a sacrifice for us to be working on that special day. For sure, you understand how hectic everything is when it is year-end. It is our responsibility that our jobs are done on time so that everything will run smoothly. However, there will always be employees who will only work for the money. Don't be frustrated at being responsible. It is worth it in the long run because not all employers are blind.
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
27 Oct 12
It is terrible to work ot without money, if I were you, I will talk to the VP and see how it goes. As for motivation, it has to be in yourself. No matter what people said or do, you have to be motivated to yourself in order to work as you mention.
@Raine38 (12387)
• United States
27 Oct 12
I am also an Accountant so I can understand and I know the kind of work that we have to put in. I have this same drive to finish everything before the deadline, especially because we have lots of reports to submit to different govenrment agencies, like for taxes, SSS, etc, and not to mention that the management itself have their own reporting needs.
I used to just take it all in stride, but when my health starts deteriorating and my family life suffers because of my eratic schedule, I talked to my VP Finance. So whenever I have to render extra hours of work or I have to come to work even during Saturdays and Sundays to finish something, I have this option either to gget compensation for those extra hours, or offset. Meaning, if I worked on a Sunday, I can have the same number of hours off work on Monday. At first he didn't see the need for it and he even thought it was me asking for too much. But when he realized that I do get the work done and get it done properly, and how tired and gloomy I have become for the past months, he finally allowed me and the rest of the team to do just that. Of course not without valid reason and output.
