April 17, 2012, 11:12 AM —
Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg delivers a keynote address at Facebook's "fMC" global event for marketers in New York City February 29, 2012.
REUTERS/Mike Segar
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg committed Silicon Valley heresy by saying she works 9-5. But science is on her side.
Not only does Sandberg leave Facebook at a decent hour, she did the same at Google. But only in the last year has she had the courage to say this publicly. After all, in tech in general and Silicon Valley in particular, working 60 hours and more a week is a badge of honor. How can you get ahead unless you send emails at 6:00AM and midnight to show your dedication?
Sandberg's story on CNN has generated nearly 1,900 comments, and "Why We Have to Go Back to a 40-Hour Work Week to Keep Our Sanity" on AlterNet has generated over 300. After all, the 40 hour week came about because manufacturers discovered tired workers made more mistakes and were injured far more often. Perhaps workawome is right when they say, "The goal isn’t really to do more; it’s to accomplish more." Studies show mental productivity nosedives after about six hours of brain work per day.
Hands up for 40
She is dead-on right. 9-5 is what the company is due. The rest belongs to family. For women AND for men.
SuZieCoyote on cnn.com
Never underestimate the power of short breaks. I take them throughout the day in 15 minute increments a few times a day. It helps me to focus.
Bojan Djordjevic on workawsome.com
I worked hard during World War II, but it was the war effort and we all worked hard. When I began work in private industry after the war, I worked 44 hours per week for a long, long time.
RJT on alternet.org
If you can't accomplish a significant amount of work in 8 hours, you're not worth your salary.
zjm555 on cnn.com
Work is more than a job
I know I am thinking about improving features and other pressing issues even when I am off the "clock". It's just like a hobby, I like doing it, whether at the office or not.
Max Derpin on cnn.com
work-life balance is important. However, working on something you enjoy and give it 100% is extremely important.
ovipconsult on cnn.com
Who has a choice?
For the rest of us average shmoes, there are tons of people waiting in line to fill our shoes. We have to put up with whatever crap they throw at us.
Deadbeatdadd on cnn.com
Years back, I took a job at a plywood mill. It was a "part-time" job that quickly turned into sixty hours a week. So, was I payed time-and-a-half for the overtime? Not a chance.
willymack on alternet.org
Fools who think they must give up their family life for a salary, regardless of the job, deserve the consequences of doing so.
fllybd5 on cnn.com
Sandberg admits to checking email from home after the kids are asleep. But who among us doesn't do that, no matter how many hours we work?
For the latest IT news, analysis and how-tos, follow ITworld on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.
Now read this:
Developer declares 'I am done with the Freemium Business Model'
Khan Academy offers JavaScript as their first computer language
Study says Facebook profile can predict job performance
