Going the extra mile can be a great way to get ahead at work. Studies have shown that employees who engage in more “organizational citizenship behaviors” — that is, activities that benefit the organization such as working after normal business hours or during vacation, attending work-related functions on personal time, taking on special projects, and rearranging personal plans because of work — tend to receive higher performance evaluations and more rewards such as public recognition, salary increases, promotions, and high-profile projects.
You’re Working More. Here’s How to Talk to Your Partner About It.
Four research-backed strategies to help you balance going the extra mile at work and being a good partner at home.
July 06, 2022
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Summary.
Taking on an extra project at work can benefit your career — but it can also sow conflict at home. What’s the best way to communicate with your partner when you want to go the extra mile at work? The authors conducted a series of studies with more than 1,000 employees to explore how people navigate these challenges, and identified five common communication strategies. Some of these strategies are most effective when it comes to reducing work-life conflict and boosting partner satisfaction, while others maximize the chances that you’ll actually end up pursuing the extra work. Based on these findings, the authors offer four strategies to help employees balance the sometimes-conflicting imperatives to go above and beyond at work and be a good partner at home: Clarify whether extra work is actually required, engage in citizenship crafting, recognize the power of communication, and align your communication strategy with your goals.