Recently, I was asked an interesting question about clock watching and what is acceptable. Instead of someone wanting to know if it was OK to run out the door as soon as their shift was over, which is what I expected, they wanted to know how late they should stay after their shift was complete.

The person works in a place that has two shifts, with one coming on towards the end of theirs. They feel guilty about leaving when it’s time to go. If they take off when they are supposed to, they think they will be viewed as less of a team player.

I have to say that as a workaholic, I appreciate where they are coming from. Well, kinda. I understand wanting to stick around to get pressing work done. What I don’t get is being concerned about what other team members are thinking. I dare say that the later shift isn’t hanging around after their shift is done, worrying about what the morning shift is thinking.

However, if you’re feeling bad because you didn’t get all of your work done and you’re passing it on to someone who wasn’t expecting it, then you have another situation. If this is the case, you either need to find out why you’re not getting the work completed, get more help or have leadership reset expectations.

But if you’re worried that others think less of you for leaving on time, don’t! Do your job as unto the Lord and get out. Once you’ve put your hours in, it’s time to go and live the rest of your life. Spend time with your family. Take up a hobby or get caught up on the Friends marathon you’ve been waiting for.

Either way, get out. God wants you to rest up, so you can come in full force the next workday. In other words, don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

Question: What would you say to someone with this concern? (Be nice :-))