Beyond the Paycheck: 10 Jobs with the Worst Work-Life Balance

Employees want a job where they can make money, but turn off their brain when it’s the weekend. However, there are some careers where you are on the clock well beyond the paycheck.
If you want to have a thriving social life, there are some jobs that should be avoided at all costs. Here are 10 jobs with the worst work-life balance.

1. Teacher

It may seem like fun to be a teacher. You mold the minds of future generations, and get winter and spring breaks as well as the entire summer off.
However, teachers have a harder time with work-life balance than almost any other profession. There are standards that districts need to achieve, and teachers often need to fill out lesson plans, stay after hours for meetings, and spend their free time grading and coming up with new activities for their classrooms.

2. Lawyer

Being a lawyer is more than just being good at arguing. Deadlines, client demands, and court appearances are going to take up a lot of your time.
It can be a challenge to create a schedule that allows you to enjoy leisure time in your personal life. Lawyers are often under a lot of stress since clients and colleagues within their firm need their time and attention.

3. Stock Broker or Investor

In the Wall Street movie, there is a famous line that goes “money never sleeps.” You can also expect barely any rest if you take up a career as an investor or stock broker.
Your finger needs to always be on the pulse of what’s popular and trending in the market. It can be tough to separate your home life from your work life when all your thought is put into how to make the most money from your investments.

4. Doctor

While working in the medical field is rewarding, many doctors and surgeons struggle with maintaining a work-life balance. Long hours and emotional tasking work, not to mention being on call, makes it tough to turn your brain off and relax.
Plus, doctors often work nights and weekends. After all, people are sick and need medical assistance at any time. It’s important for a good doctor to be available to them in their time of need.

5. Entrepreneur

Whether you run a startup on your own or manage a team of 100 employees, it can be tough to achieve work-life balance when you own your own business.
Emails go out at all hours, and you’re constantly worrying about the SEO of your website and serving your customers. Entrepreneurs wear a lot of hats, and sometimes their long list of duties bleed over into their free time.

6. Airline Worker

Pilots, flight attendants, air traffic controllers, and anyone else who works for an airline can expect to struggle with maintaining a work-life balance.
Flight delays or cancellations may affect your hours. Plus, sitting in airport traffic after your shift could cause you to get home way later than you want every day. Airline workers often must work nights and weekends, and as a result, they may have to miss out on activities or events with family and friends.

7. Journalist

Even if a journalist doesn’t work for the news, they still may be in a fast-paced environment that demands a lot of their time and attention.
Their articles not only need to be researched and written, but they also need to go through multiple edits and formatting. Some journalists are even required to attend live events and must travel miles to nab interviews or content for certain articles. It’s also tough to predict when breaking news will occur.

8. Restaurant Worker

The idea of a 9-to-5 workday totally goes out the window when you work for a restaurant. Chefs, waiters, bartenders, and cleaners need to get there early for prep and stay late for cleanup.
Some bars and restaurants are also open into the late hours, and many are open on the weekends. You could meet interesting new people on the staff or customers who visit, but overall, being on staff at a restaurant can be tough on your social calendar.

9. Truck Drivers

Life on the road never ends. Truck drivers have a tough time maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
There are many other downsides to being a truck driver. Your joints cramp up from sitting on the seat for long hours, and you also need to deal with traffic jams and accidents. There may not be enough time for a good meal and shower, let alone spending time outside of work with your friends and family.

10. First Responders

Firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and any other first responder will have a harder time with work-life balance than those in other careers. Emergencies can strike at any time, and these professionals need to always be ready.
Not only do first responders need to be readily available, but they also need to be sharp and focused. You can’t take up this career and expect to roll into work with barely any sleep or a massive hangover. First responders need to be emotionally ready to face any challenge.

Find Your Balance

Your career is an important part of your life, but it should never be your entire life. Carve out some time for yourself during the day however and whenever possible, even if it means waking up a little earlier in the morning. Be sure to also make time for your friends and family, even if you work long hours or the weekends. It’s all about balance.

Read More:

Here’s How to Strike a Healthy Work-Life Balance

How To Balance College Studies and Time With Friends