This is my desperate call for help, I've been working at this company non-stop for 11 months now, it's been an endless cycle of working on projects round the clock.
I enjoyed the job at first, especially, been the founding backend developer on the team, however, recently, it has taken a toll on me as I have endlessly and tirelessly worked on a variety of projects simultaneously over the months, which is bad in my own perspective. The product managers only want to see projects completed without taking into consideration the technical details.
Now, here's my big question
How do you cope as a burnt out developer that still needs to deliver on projects? I need answers, hopefully, I'll get some inspiration from here.
Top comments (6)
11 months now back to back workings days? In our country (the Netherlands) you HAVE to take a holiday (which is calculated like this: if you work 40 hours a week, you get 40 x 4 = 160 holiday hours a year to spend).
Your empty spot would then need to be filled in by your manager after approval. But this doesn't count if you're the manager, then you need to plan everything yourself.
You can always call in sick, but that depends per country, here being burnt out is a sickness and you can just call in sick for that.
Best is to start a talk with your manager/project manager about the workload and that you feel burned. If nothing comes out of it then you have to options, continue or stop and search for another job (again depending on the country, I am assuming America for now).
Thank you very much for this, (the company is located in Nigeria by the way), I'll bring it up with the management and still update you here on the outcome of the meeting.
I spoke with my manager earlier and he said I can take a leave after completing another project over the next two weeks, mind you, I'm also facing some health challenges too.
I'm currently on the lookout for another gig that'll enable me have a balanced work-life mix
Yeah I currently work 40 hours a week +- because sometimes you just want to finish something while working from home right, but I have no time for self improvement while on the job. So I need to study/hobby in my spare time.
Which is fine now but in the long run I want to get some certificates, like Java OCP 17 for example making me more valuable (and thus I can ask for a raise easier etc).
I plan to ask for 36 hours at the customer so I have 1 free day to study every 2 weeks.
If you're burned out and lack leave, you have two options:
Review what worker rights you're entitled to (based on where you're working from). In the US, we have FMLA, which can be used in instances of burnout to give a worker leave, but be aware that things like FMLA may not guarantee you all/any of your normal compensation.
Find a new job, preferably with a workload that doesn't cause burnout or better benefits.
I'm currently on the lookout for another job as I need to prioritize myself at this point.