Mailbag: The 4:55 Problem
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In This Issue
Why the message lands on Thursday and Friday, and what that tells you about how your manager plans
The Gary math, and why unpriced overtime is the most expensive thing you’re doing right now
The conversation to have, word for word, including the part where your manager goes quiet
How to put a date on it so this doesn’t quietly become your job description
What to do when the date passes and nothing happens
The Letter (paraphrased)
I’ve been at my company for about a year. I like the job, the pay is decent, my manager has always been friendly. The problem is that almost every week, usually Thursday or Friday, I get a Teams message around 4:55 asking me to finish something before tomorrow morning.
These aren’t 5 minute tasks. They take 1 to 3 hours and usually require pulling data from several departments. My hours end at 5:00 and I have a 45 minute commute. I have evening responsibilities that make staying late hard.
The first few times I stayed because I wanted to make a good impression. Now it’s an expectation. If I say I’ll do it first thing in the morning, I get “I was hoping to have this tonight” or “it would really help if you could knock this out before you leave.”
These don’t seem like real emergencies. Sometimes they’re reports nobody reviews until the following afternoon. It feels like poor planning.
Last week I said I couldn’t stay and would finish in the morning. My manager wasn’t rude, but seemed disappointed and has been noticeably cooler since.
Am I being unreasonable? Or is this just something you accept if you want to be seen as a team player?
PM, healthcare system, New Jersey
The Short Answer
From my end, you’re right about the facts. A report that nobody opens until 2:00 the next afternoon is never an emergency, and is most likely poor planning to ease his anxiety at the expense of yours.
But, being “right” about that is worth nothing because it doesn’t solve anything.
Nobody at your company is going to look at the 4:55 pattern and decide you’re being wronged or screwed. Especially if the manager is older generation, does it himself, or if it doesn’t effect anyone else because they’re not worried about your problem.
So let’s skip the validation and let’s get into it.
Why It’s Always Thursday
I doubt your manager is saying to himself “when is the most inconvenient time to ping her, Thursday at 4:55? Let’s do it!”
