Is Working Hard Working For You?

By Robert Half International


Over the past few years, many people have felt pressure to work harder in order to maintain their job security. But meekly shouldering increasingly heavy workloads isn't necessarily the best way to demonstrate your value. Always being the first to arrive and the last to leave might impress your boss for a while, but in the long term, it's unlikely to benefit your well-being, your career or your employer.

People who pride themselves on a strong work ethic may find that idea tough to swallow. After all, don't employers seek workers who are eager to go the extra mile? That may often be the case, but most companies also want employees who don't burn out or become disenchanted. And all of them want people who make the most of the time for which they're being paid.