Many men report working 80 hours a week, but a deep dive by the New York Times reveals that a significant number are stretching the truth. A study from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business highlighted that in a workplace culture that glorifies long hours, employees fall into three categories: those who genuinely clock in the extra time and deliver results, those who successfully negotiate flexible hours, and a sizable group (predominantly men) who pretend to be part of the hard-working crowd while actually fitting into the second category.
These individuals often strike covert arrangements with colleagues who also have young children, helping each other out and choosing local work trips to maintain appearances. While the first and third groups reap rewards during performance assessments, the second group faces penalties. The lesson? If you desire a more family-friendly work schedule while climbing the corporate ladder, a bit of strategic fibbing might be necessary. Here are seven little white lies to keep handy:
- “That client and I share a great connection.” (Truth? That client is conveniently located near my home, allowing me to return by 5:30.)
- “Oops, I have another client appointment on Friday at 3.” (Actually, I’ll be busy caring for the class turtle during its weekend visit with us.)
- “I’m the lead on this project.” (Sure, Jane is the actual lead, but with her kid home sick, I’m stepping in as the lead. Just don’t bother Jane unless you want to hear all about her norovirus saga.)
- “We’re targeting 70% engagement by March.” (I can hit 80%, but I want to appear heroic, so I’m keeping my multitasking—typing emails with one hand while offering lettuce to a turtle—under wraps.)
- “This project really plays to Taylor’s strengths, right?” (Taylor can totally handle it.)
- “Samantha and I will be strategizing at an off-site tomorrow—catch you on Friday.” (In reality, Samantha and I are doing absolutely nothing; it’s a teacher development day and our kids are off school.)
- “I’m currently out in the field.” (Actually, I’m dealing with a deceased turtle.)
This article was originally published on May 7, 2011.
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Summary:
Navigating the balance between work and family often requires a bit of creativity. Whether it’s fabricating a client relationship or claiming project leadership, these small deceptions can help secure a more flexible schedule while maintaining your professional image.
Keyphrase: work-life balance lies
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