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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: Have you ever worked seven days in a row before coming to China?
I am already tired of this seven working day week and it is only Tuesday
Do you think that working 7 days is too much or should I stop whining and go back to work?
Any previous experiences outside China?
11 years 11 weeks ago in Business & Jobs - China
Yes. Having worked for a small software company where too optimistic project estimation would mean silly deadlines, it has happened often. I have also had jobs that included a lot of traveling, which sometimes meant being on the road for weeks at a time. But of course, working extra has always been rewarded either with extra free time or a financial compensation unlike the Chinese system where the public holidays are just reclaimed weekends.
Yep. I've worked before in a 24/7/365 continuous manufacturing environment. As part of the initial training, I had to work as a superintendent on a rotating shift for a couple months (days, evenings, nights, repeat). The genius union came up with a schedule that involved working 7 straight days/evenings/nights in lieu of extended "weekends" between the shift changes. I hated it, just like this Sunday at work will suck.
Yeah, I used to work for a school that was temporarily short-staffed by being left in the lurch by an unreliable part-time teacher at a time when I was desperate for money and therefore hours. The days he normally worked were my days off and so I took all his classes while they found somebody.
I taught for 22 days straight up to the end of my contract and couldn't look an adjective in the face for a month after I finished.
I had no complaints, though: I made a small fortune that month and took a four-month holiday after I finished up... plus it was my choice.
The Chinese 'public holidays', on the other hand, drove me nuts.
At this time last year I worked at three schools plus tutoring. I worked 3 months nonstop. What did I do on my first day off? I slept!
I was an attorney before moving to China so, yes, I had more than one opportunity to work more than seven days consecutively.
6 days, actually studying, never being working this long. I know, this is China and we ar to accept it as all Chinese are doing it. I see teachers at my school simply exhausted only when they work 6 days, though they are used with it. Level of fatigue, physical and emotional are climbing up as the days pass by.
Only thinking and the teachers are getting obviously nervous which has a great deal of impact on their relation with the little children and so bad effects on them too. If you add to this the fact that this week it's an open doors week, meaning parents and everybody are coming in to see them at work, that's a hell of a week. I only think in people who know only of working, no Holidays and so on and thus I get some strength too.
7 days, it's simply slavery to my working habits. Definitely, complaining about it would make me look like a spoiled child. So, I just look at them and see them how strong they are and how humble too. They don't like it but they accept it. Likewise I learn myself too and it won't kill me anyway all the contrary it will make me strong.
Yes. sometimes for two or three weeks in a row.
More often than not, I would work on Saturdays. For me, holiday meant I would be able to catch up with my paperwork.
I never understand the thinking. Wow, I can have three days in a row off, thanks China! Oh but I have to work seven days in a row first? How about just give us the damn Wednesday off? A mid week break would be much more welcomed than a seven day work week just for those 3 days in a row.
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Yeah, some stupid idiot who thinks it's not enough the frustration to working this much, let's thumbs down honesty and sincerity. Well, if that makes him happy, let it be.
Yes, Early on with my job in Australia I worked 7 days a week regularly. Normal roster was 8 hours a day Mon-Fri and overtime was available on weekends at penalty rates (1.5 and 2x normal rate). I did this most weekends for many many years. Only way to buy a home. The weekend shifts were 12 hours and it was pretty hard manual work in rail maintenance and construction.
I actualy know of a few people who worked every day except Good Friday and Christmas day in a year.
Never did before, never do now, glad I never found a company or school that would follow such a harsh and cruel schedule just for a lousy holiday.
I was in the military we worked 24/7....never had a break until I got out!
bill8899:
Really? When I was in the military we would exercise, shoot things (mostly targets!), study, drink and go home. Combat MOSs are fun!
On this note: What is the actual national holiday anyways? I mean I know the reason but is this a 3 day holiday, a 1 day holiday or a 5 day holiday (including weekend)?
xunliang:
It's just May the 1st. International Labour Day. But for some stupid reason they thought it would be nice to have 3 days in a row off, so you have to work the Saturday and Sunday to have the Monday and Tuesday off.
Yes, I had a summer job at a factory where every few weeks your shift would change and you'd end up working for a week straight and then having a week off. I would also work a lot of over-time voluntarily because they paid double after 37.5 hours and treble on Sundays. I made a fortune that summer. This is not something I can relate to in China unfortunately. Double/treble pay is an alien concept here.
work 7 days a week now in 3 cities except holidays, its keeps me busy, not into the culture here very much and dont like crowds, and keeps me out of trouble.
Yes worked 7 nights quite regular for many years, i was on nightshift for 15 years.
It was overtime, double time at that and it was my choice, so yes many many times i have worked 7 nights in a row.