Work-Life Balance With a Workaholic Boss

Work-Life Balance With a Workaholic BossWork-Life Balance With a Workaholic BossYou want to please your manager or the CFO, but it seems there just arent enough hours in the day. Youre afraid your workaholic anfhrer and your never-ending workday will destroy your chances for work-life balance.Its an ideal situation when you find a supervisor who is a good fit with your personality. But having a positive relationship with management doesnt necessarily mean you have to embody all the same traits. On the contrary, some bosses possess characteristics best avoided. One example is the tendency to work long and arduous hours, even when working smart is the better alternative.Workaholic bosses are complicated, because it seems like a good thing that theyre giving 100 percent all of the time. But it can also be detrimental to the office environment, the quality of work being done and the work-life balance of employees when they expect the same of you.If you find yourself in a job wrought with workaholism, follow these four tips to remain a productive and effective employee1. Talk to your boss about work-life balanceWhile supervisors may think a 60-hour workweek is the best thing for them, it might be the absolute worst thing for you. There are plenty of tactful ways to explain this to even the most work-addicted managers. Let them know youre more effective when you can get out of the office at a reasonable hour. Maybe you simply cant focus on work if you know you need to be home at a certain time to feed your kids, walk the dog or get to your spin class. If youre good at what you do, your boss will acknowledge that and will respect your approach.2. Give yourself a break (or two)Dont wait for your manager to let you get up for a brief break every hour or so. If your boss is a workaholic, chances are that he or she isnt taking many breaks. However, that doesnt mean you should chain yourself to your desk as well. Stretch your limbs and get re-energized with a snack or a cu p of tea. Stop to have a quick chat with a colleague, and you may find it gives you fresh perspective on an important project. If you give yourself mental and physical breaks throughout the day, youll be better able to focus on the tasks at hand.3. Know the value of time offTime off doesnt always have to mean two weeks on a tropical island. But chances are youve earned some vacation days, so ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance by requesting some time off. Even if you only take a day or two for a quick getaway, a break can leave you refreshed, recharged and more productive at work. If your boss doesnt take vacation time, dont follow his or her lead. Youve earned those days and its your right to take them.Stop to read How to Take Time Off and Unplug to Recharge Your Career.4. Honor your time out of the officeIt might be impossible for you to disconnect from your job completely, but you should protect your free time - especially if your workaholic boss tends to blur w ork-home boundaries. Never set a precedent that youre available 24/7. If you can, shut your phone off after a certain hour at night. The 9-to-5 workday might be outmoded, but that doesnt mean you have to be the first person in and the last to leave. At the end of the day, its all about achieving productivity while maintaining a positive work-life balance.Next time youre in the job market, be sure to read this Work-Life Balance Can I Ask About It in a Job Interview? Subscribe to our newsletterWhen you subscribe to the Robert Half newsletter, youll get articles and resources to help you build a successful career in accounting and finance - all sent directly to your inbox. Click the button below to sign up todaySUBSCRIBE NOW