Am I a freaking moron or what?
Oh...oh...I so want to answer that.
Seriously, though; there are different types in workplaces, and we don't all get along.
I guess it's by the type of work, and the draw to that type of work by certain people. I work in retail as a merchandiser, and I wouldn't have a retail job which limits me to one store.
Some of the people in some of the stores at which I work, wear the hell out of me just watching them. I see managers and wannabes work 12 hour shifts daily like it's nothing to them, while others are looking at their watches hoping quitting could come sooner; though I guess that's why the people working management are in management.
Sometimes I'll work 7 days a week and I'll have have longer than average days; but I enjoy merchandising and 10-12 hour days ain't anything out of the ordinary.
Today I was running late, but it doesn't matter, I'm a merchandiser and my job's done when I'm there. One of the things that ran me behind was getting a pull in my back. I had been sitting down, putting on my shoes, then stood back up to a surprise of a sudden muscle spasm in my back, which put me right back down.
There have been jobs in the past where if I had such a spasm I would have probably used it as a reason not to go to work. Of course I do need the pay, but in my job I like to be reliable.
That opening part about different types in workplaces...well...we're usually, for simplicity, one of two: we seek to fulfill our jobs for various reasons, or we seek to get through the day and get the hell out.
Of the latter, I've been in jobs in which I felt like that. I know my capabilities and limitations, do a degree, and I aim to stay with work in which I feel more committed and reliable.
When we do get into something in which we are committed and feel a responsibility, we don't necessarily see a timeclock; the day's not over until the day is over. As much as we may not understand somebody looking at a job as complete when the clock strikes 5, rather than being complete when the job is complete, somebody looking to get through the day does not understand the crazy person who is committed to completing a job regardless of personal sacrifices.
Thinking about it, the person who leaves at 5 isn't doing anything wrong; they are actually the sane ones. If the job description says 40 hours a week, and that's what they give, they have met their responsibilities. They are probably enjoying time with their families, relaxing at a movie, or at home.
Some people are more comfortable putting life first, some aren't.
I made a joke about me wanting to answer your question, but after this discourse and thinking about it, I'd like to say from one moron to another: yes, you are a moron. That's not necessarily bad if you enjoy being a moron, but do realize that people who put in their week's work and take their days off and vacations to themselves are doing what they're suppose to do.
If it's the pay that's understandable, but sometimes we just simply can't say 'no'. Whether it's the desire to be needed, a feeling of responsibility, or whatever it is, we're there when needed. If you feel like you are being taken advantage of by being this, you're damn right you are...but you have nobody to blame but yourself; employers will always ask the people who will always be there to be there, because they will.
I can't tell you to take time off because your own personal insanity will make you feel guilty. I have a feeling too that if the office hired another person to pick up the slack, you'd either find more things that need to be done, or feel insecure about your work.
