Top Management Not Using Days Off

Back Published 2011-05-19

Fayetteville, Ark. — May 19  

Top management is taking on more work, ZweigWhite’s 2011 Principals, Partners and Owners Survey suggests. Although it’s clear that firm leaders are working more than ever, most using a median of five days less paid time off than they are given, they may not be spending more time at the office.  

Of the hours worked, respondents say they spend 71 percent of that time in the office, 8 percent in clients’ offices, 5 percent at project sites, 6 percent at home, 5 percent at industry events, and 1 percent “other.” Technology may be partially, if not entirely, responsible for this phenomenon.  

"Certainly the technology today has made us all far more productive,” said Tony Peterson, CFO at TY Lin International. “Along with this comes higher expectations from our clients and coworkers, thus longer weeks and less time to recharge. However, at some point we must draw the line and put down the iPhone or BlackBerry.” 

Mark Zweig, CEO of ZweigWhite said responsiveness is key, and staying linked is absolutely necessary.  

“Everyone has to be overcommitted. Then it works. If something falls off, something else is there ready to take its place,” he said. “Over committing is where the consistency and higher than typical profits come from.” 

According to the Principals, Partners and Owners Survey, 88 percent check in with their office and/or clients while away on vacation. Principals who check in with the office and/or clients during vacation, do so an average of five times per week.  

Source: ZweigWhite