My company somehow has a mindset where working OT everyday is normal behaviour. Now I'm not against helping a sudden rush here and there but every single time (every two months for a month long) a bunch of big client's work comes in, we all panic, and are expected to contribute loads of overtime. None of my coworkers say anything and just do the overtime. They will work until 10pm at night everyday to get all the work done on time. Because of this, they won't hire anyone since hey, the work is getting done and it's cheaper to pay the time and a half than have a new employee.
So now it's that time of month again where we're in panic to get work done on time. Boss had a meeting with us, saying that we should do as much overtime as possible to help get the work done. She began going off about how it was a good opportunity to make lots of money, how it would really help the team, making me feel super guilty for not wanting to. Everyone immediately spoke up and agreed to do it. So now if I go home after my 40 hours, I look like the loser who isn't helping anyone.
I'm luckily in a situation where I don't need the OT money and I value my free time more. I agreed to do an hour or two a week only to not look like a douchebag but honestly why is it a bad thing to just want to do my scheduled hours and go home? Why can't they hire more people so this crap doesn't happen every month for a month long? I've watched coworkers break, get burnt out, stressed out, and genuinely cry over having worked 70 hours a week. I don't want that to be me.
My old job in the same industry hired when they needed more people. I never had to work OT and in fact, everyone in the office ran as soon as the clock hit 4:30. But here it's like everyone lives in the office and likes it.
It makes me feel like I'm being the whiny millennial who dOeSnT waNnA wOrK anYmoRe. I'm so tired. I've been looking for a new job without much luck so what do you suggest in the meantime?