TheSilentOne is a lecturer and in the last year he and team he leads have come under unbearble pressure. Increased class sizes (more students than there are computers to sit them at) more classes, more hours. He has team members off with stress and 2 are leaving at the end of the year. When a member of his team is off he has to absorb their work. TSO has more after school meetings, parent and open evenings he is required to attend. He spends at least one full day (early am to late pm) doing lesson plans and marking papers. Sometimes both days on the weekend are taken up with work. Some evenings as well and some mornings.

I worry because I can see how tired he is.

I have seen my council restructure a number of service areas, making the young, fit (and more in need of a job) redundant while denying voluntary redundancy to older long term workers, increasing their workloads until the quit or retire early under the pressure. This psychological manipulation of the workforce to acheive the best financial outcome for the council.

What happened to work life balance?    Week in and out we get treated to the weekend jollies of our CEO, via her blog. Nice that she has the money and time to take part in leisure activities.