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Mike Segar / REUTERS
Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg is open and resolute about leaving work at a reasonable hour to spend time with her family.
If you’re leaving the office at 5 p.m. to spend time with your family and feeling guilty about it, don’t worry -- you’re in very good company.
Facebook’s COO Sheryl Sandberg tells Makers.com, a website that profiles successful American women, that she is open and resolute about leaving work at a reasonable hour to spend time with her family, although she admits she used to worry about what others thought of her departure time.
“I walk out of this office every day at 5:30, so I’m home for dinner with my kids at 6,” she told Makers.com, adding that she’s only been brave enough to talk about it publicly over the last few years.
Sandberg said she used to want to show her coworkers she was working just as hard as them, by getting up early and making sure they saw her e-mails at 5:30 a.m. or late at night.
“I’m more confident where I am [now], and so I’m able to say ‘Hey, I am leaving work at 5:30,’” she said. “I hope that means other women, and men, importantly, feel comfortable going home to see their kids.”
Sandberg left Google to join Facebook as its chief operating officer in 2008. She has also served as an economist for the World Bank and as chief of staff at the U.S. Treasury Department.
She has a bit of work on her plate now, too, as she helps shepherd Facebook to an expected initial public offering in the next two months that could value the young company at more than $100 billion.
You can watch the full video here.
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Like everyone in the Midwest leaves around 5.
But if we're wrong, I don't want to be right.
I didn't realize leaving work at 5:30pm was newsworthy. I guess I've been doing it wrong.
for a lot of middle managers your considered a slacker if you want to leave after a ten hour day.
I've worked in that environment. I remember once management telling us how the burn rate on a project we were working on was costing $1M per day - an obvious ploy to get us to work herder/longer. I've been unemployed now for over two years and have never been happier!
'herder'
Freudian slip...?
If companies had it their way, workers would work 18 hour days, seven days a week, for $.50/hr. They look at the Foxconn factory in China and say to themselves, "It must be nice to have a workforce you can treat like animals..."
When I travel, which is about 60% of the year, I work around 18 hours per day. So when I'm in my office I generally am in by 9 and out by 5/5:30.
We work to support our family not the opposite. She should leave at 4:00pm
I once worked for a manager who told me, "It's OK if you have a family, but I except the people working for me to make the job their number one priority."
Two weeks later I was gone.
Back in '07, I was interviewed by the owner for a position with a small company and when I asked what time everyone arrive/leave for the day, she told me, "Don't be the last in in the morning and don't be the first to leave in the evening. Also, always be sure to ask if there is something more that needs to be done before you leave." I turned down the job offer.
Sorry Pisces, but they have a valid point. It's almost like you are telling us you planned on being the last in everyday, first out everyday, and would try to sneak out so no one would ask you for anything. Essentially, you are saying you are not dependable.
LMAO at the line "I leave at 5:30 so I can have dinner at 6:00". Wow, I'd like to actually see her leave work at 5:30, pick up the kids, drive home, make a nutritious dinner, all in a half an hour. I guess when you're the 1%, you can afford servants.
You're making some assumptions. All she said was "I walk out of this office every day at 5:30, so I’m home for dinner with my kids at 6."
Maybe her husband picks up the kids, and/or does the cooking.
I'm guessing her husband works also, and also leaves around 5:30. Lots of folks 'round me have 30-60 minute commutes, which leaves NOBODY home by 6 to have dinner already ready.
Here is a very successful woman who is coming forward to tell everyone, men and women, that family is just as important as work. And you are criticizing her? What is wrong with you? Can you really be that bitter?
I'm thankful for her. She is saying what has to be said. We have crazy work hours here in the U.S, more than ANY OTHER COUNTRY. It's unhealthy and it's all predicated on competition and bullsh&t. I wish more people would come forward and say "enough is enough."
Ever hear of a crock pot (slow cooker)? I use it religiously and I can eat within 30 minutes after I walk thru the door.
Is it just me, or does leaving something cooking while you are away from home for hours seem like a bad idea? Not to knock them, I have one, and we use them once every other week or so (and it makes GOOD food!), but that doesn't mean I don't live waiting for a call from the fire department those days.
Using one every day seems like risking fate..
I use my crockpot all the time, too. It used to wig me out a little bit but, honestly, it's no different than leaving anything plugged in for a period of time. It doesn't get hot enough to do damage and there is no flame. The only thing that could go wrong is an electrical flare up but that could happen with anything - including a lamp left on.
Imagine working for a workaholic who expects the same out of YOU to further their career and fatten their wallet. As bad or worse than working for a control freak
I spent 15 years in the Big 4, and the typical work week for most auditors was 60 hours; I had several supervisors over the years who expected us to work more than they did. I had several career limiting conversations when I told them I put my family before my job; luckily I have a unique skill set that they couldn't just fire me, but they let me know they weren't happy; I let them know I did not care. I put in my 40-50 hours/week and didn't worry about it. I am now with a different job where most of my coworkers travel and work at least 50 hours per week; but I'm still putting in my 40 and going home. I come in between 7 and 9 Am depending on if I have to get the kids on the bus; I go home between 4:30 and 6 depending on if I have to get the kids to/from after school activities. My wife only works 1-2 days / week, we both decided before we got married that the kids need us more than they need our money: money doesn't teach them ethics or morals, or listens to them as they talk about their day and/or their problems, money doesn't answer their questions, wipe tears, hold hands, help with homework or play in the yard. If I die tonight, the company won't shut down, the CEO won't come to the funeral - but my family will be devestated. Therefore, they are my priority, not work. Sure, we have used cars and a house that has things that need to be done, but they are filled with love and happiness. My boss barely knows who his kids are, most of my coworkers are single and lonely. I wouldn't trade places with any of them.
Facebook is Big Brother. Soon it will be required as your resume to the World. You won't even be CONSIDERED for a job without one. And keeping stuff from your Boss or the Govt is a no no unless you want them to think you are hiding something from them. Password please!
MEANWHILE over at Google they are making fists of money selling your internet history to all KINDS of people around the Globe
And that has to do with what time you come into work how?
I start work each day at 0400 (4:00 AM) and I lilke to leave work around 12:30 pm....I don't take any breaks and I don't take lunch. I'm happy and everyone at work is happy with my arrangements!
I'm a partner in a small law firm and unless I'm in trial I leave work between 5 and 6 every day. I also encourage my associates to do the same. I believe balance is the key to being successful in anything.
I start at 7am and work until 5pm. Not a minute earlier than 7am and no later than 5pm. I don't get paid to come in earlier or stay later. 7-5 it is.
Hmm. Leaves at 5:30 to have dinner with the kids at 6. Sounds like someone has a chef (which I'm sure she can afford). If I leave at 5:30 we aren't eating until 7:00!
My my, aren't we judgy. A successful woman steps forward in support of family and balance and all you can offer up is criticism about her meal arrangements. How petty.
She may prepare and freeze meals for the week.
Or maybe she prepares meals ahead of the week. Or perhaps her children or husband start meals for her. I grew up in the valley and my dad always left work at 5 to get home at six. From the time I was 12, I was starting dinners for my dad. I would get home from school at 3, prep the meat, finish off whatever homework that I didn't finish at school already, start on veggie prep at 5. By the time my dad got home, everything was just in the process of cooking and he finished off the cooking and plating. I did this just about every day till I moved out at 19. Even when I was on track and field and the varsity soccer team every year. Oh and I come from a WORKING class family and my father was single dad to FOUR kids.
You have an awfully narrow and bitter world view I Love My Cats....
I religiously use my crockpot! The meal's been cooking all day and is ready to eat when I come home.
40 years of 60 hour, 6 day weeks without a SINGLE sick day, 1 week vacation /year, on fixed salary just to have a new owner come in and suggest your outdated, we don't need you, take a 30% cut or leave.
I totally empthaize with that one. My hubby was like that; only they didn't give him a choice. they just didn't want to pay him senior manager pay anymore and canned him. 60-80/week, 6 days a week and they still bitched if he took more than 2 days off in a row. Getting canned was the BEST thing that ever happened to him because now, he's learned that the company wasn't the GOD he made them out to be. Funny thing - their stock is now in the crapper and employee morale is too. What was done to him was done company wide and it is coming back to bite them in the ass big time.
I can't remember the last time I stayed at work until 5PM. Seriously. Like the other Peggy who posted about having breast cancer and realizing life is too short, DITTO. I'm also a breast cancer survivor and working harder or longer doesn't mean squat to any company and it certainly means nothing on the day that I die.
Shorter work days are paid with lower pay because more pay is required to encourage longer work days.
What a completely pointless survey! Not only did the survey not include an obvious answer like "I leave before 5pm and I DON'T come in early" but how hard you work has nothing do do with what time you leave unless it also include what time you start.
I used to work for this auto/motorcycle company--its name starts with B and ends with W--sat in a cube farm pushing papers around my desk. Das workers would make a big show of coming in early, staying late--and would let it be known that you were being watched. I got the heck out of there, and damned glad I did!
Just because you walk out at 5:30 or 7:30 doesn't mean you're working. Filling a desk or a cube or sending emails doesn't mean you're productive. There is NOTHING about it that gets work done. Being in at 8am and leaving after 6 ONLY means that you spend a long time in the office. Try reading "Why work sucks and how to fix it," and you'll understand why office hours mean nothing.
I love my job - in around 7:30 and leave shortly after 6:00 but always ready to put in extra hours when needed. Work doesn't need to suck. Best part though is getting home and making dinner and spending time with my family - recharge. I like to see that coworkers are putting in at least 8 productive hours per day. We're flexible for everyone - daycare, little league, soccer, community involvement - it's a two way street though.
In todays work culture, bosses like you are a rare find.
If you research enough you will find that people who feel like they are expected to put in extra hours in fear of losing their job will put in more hours, but at a lower productivity. If managers set realistic expectations and deadlines, workers will more often than not work to meet them without having to sacrifice hours in the day from what should really be the reason anyone works...to enjoy their lives. We work to live, not live to work.
Of course SHE can leave at 5:30PM without any repercussions, she's the COO of the company! No such luck for anyone below her pay grade.