Do you work long hours trying to impress the boss? Or does your agency have a culture of "stay late, get promoted?"
Here are stupid myths about working long hours that drive me mad:
1. The person who spends the most time in the office is the hardest working. In fact, they are probably the least efficient. And the most irritating.
2. People who spend a day working at home are skiving. It is more likely that they need to focus, which it can be hard in a distracting office environment. At home, you can also wear your PJs all day (people give you funny looks if you do this at work).
3. Those who get in the earliest are the most productive. It could be that they are early birds. Night owls are just as hard working, but they get going later in the day, when the early birds are flagging. So stop giving me those dirty looks when I get in after 10am.
4. If you work on a campaign until 2am you are showing commitment. In reality, you are wasting time. You are unlikely to come up with anything decent in the early hours of the morning AND you’ll be useless the next day. Plus those bags under your eyes make you look ten years older.
5. People who never switch off are to be admired. I feel sad for those who insist on emailing clients when they are supposed to be on holiday. Taking a break is good for you, and recharging batteries stops them going flat. So when I’m on holiday, leave me alone!