Ask HN: Companies where people work 12 hours, How do you sustain a relationship?

5 points·lasx··6 comments

I’m seeing some companies ask in their interviews whether you are okay with working 12 hours a day. Is it even possible to have a meaningful relationship/social life in that case?

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I was at a company for 6 months that started with 9 hour days and after 4 months turned to regular 10-14 hour days. The worst was a week of 10+ hour days straight, usually there'd be one "normal" day each week but something was always going wrong (having to meet unrealistic deadlines, systems breaking, etc). Glad that experience is in the rear-view, it taught far more on self respect/care and connected me to a lot of great people (who also left soon after I did).

Edit: Forgot the initial question. It was a huge negative influence on an existing long-term relationship. If I stayed at that company it likely would have ended the relationship.

You can't possibly work 12 hours everyday. Maybe for a week or two at best. At worst a month.

So if you are working for up to a month for 12 hour days, you better have a strong relationship with your significant other who understands your work and understands it's temporary.

Pass on the gig.

I don't think it is possible. There is literally no way that I'd take a position where I am expected to work 12 hours a day. I'm a human being, not an industrial machine.

Cut down on your commute time, skip lunch, and get by on less sleep. It is possible.

Chat, call, or video call with them during breaks.

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