I received this nice letter from a Career-Op reader in regards to last weeks column, Worker's Beware and wanted to share it with all of you. -- Douglas

THANK YOU!!!! For your recent Career column titled "Workers Beware".

FINALLY, someone (other than me) is speaking out about not working one's
self to death. Since the untimely illness and ultimate death of my husband
four years ago, I have been touting the "know what your priorities are"
line. I had worked for a company who brow beat me for any personal time I
needed to take off for the care and treatment of my husband during his
illness or any time off I needed just for my family.

When I came to work for the company I now work for, I pointedly told the guy
interviewing me that if they wanted someone to work 10 to 12 hours a day,
then I was not the person for them because my family came first. I have
stuck to that policy for the past 4 years and will continue to do so. Sure
there may be times when one needs to work long hours to get a project
completed by a deadline but not consistenly.

Anyway, thanks for publishing your article. If all workers everywhere would
just put their foot down and refuse to let their employer work them to
death, then we can get back to what really matters in our lives. And it's
not the money!

Patty Loy

Programmer Analyst III