Managerial Workload & Well-being Tool for Burnout Prevention.
Analysis of Reddit Thread: "Managers & above: How many hours do you work?"
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Core Problem: The thread shines a light on a widespread issue where managers, especially in HR and related leadership roles, are logging an insane number of hours—think 50-60+ or even 75 hours a week. This is taking a serious toll on their mental health, leading to burnout and a complete lack of work-life balance. Even with the flexibility of working from home, they feel like they're always on call. It's a bit ironic that HR professionals, who are supposed to be the champions of work-life balance, are often the ones struggling the most. There's a clear yearning for more manageable hours, with some even prioritizing this over higher pay.
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Niche Market Identified: Absolutely. The niche here is organizations, particularly HR departments and leadership teams, that are looking to tackle and reduce manager burnout, improve work-life balance, and foster healthier work environments. This is different from general employee wellness because it specifically targets the unique pressures and responsibilities faced by managers.
SaaS Opportunity:
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Opportunity: A "Manager Well-being and Workload Optimization Platform" designed to help organizations, especially HR departments, understand, manage, and enhance the work patterns and well-being of their managerial staff.
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Product Form:
- A SaaS platform with dashboards for individual managers, their supervisors, and HR leadership.
- Features for Managers:
- Tools to self-report or integrate calendar/task data to visualize workload and actual hours worked (vs. scheduled).
- Personalized well-being check-ins and burnout risk assessments (e.g., brief, regular surveys on stress levels, ability to disconnect).
- Goal setting for work-life balance (e.g., "no meetings after X time," "dedicated focus blocks").
- Resource library for stress management and leadership best practices related to team well-being.
- Features for Supervisors/Department Heads:
- Aggregated, anonymized team workload and well-being dashboards to spot patterns of overwork or burnout risk within their teams.
- Tools for capacity planning and equitable task distribution.
- Prompts/reminders to check in on team members who might be at risk.
- Features for HR:
- Organization-wide, anonymized analytics on manager workload, burnout trends, and the effectiveness of interventions.
- Identification of systemic issues (e.g., specific departments or roles consistently showing high-stress levels).
- Ability to track the impact of well-being initiatives.
- Recommendations for organizational policies that support manager well-being (e.g., meeting-free days, clear "offline" expectations).
- Integration with existing HRIS (optional) for demographic data overlay (e.g., tenure, department).
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Expected Benefits (leading to potential revenue):
- Reduced Manager Burnout & Turnover: Proactively identifying and mitigating burnout can lead to lower turnover rates among valuable managerial staff, saving significant recruitment and training costs.
- Improved Productivity & Decision Making: Well-rested and less-stressed managers are likely to be more productive, engaged, and make better strategic decisions.
- Enhanced Organizational Culture: Demonstrating a commitment to manager well-being can improve overall company culture and morale.
- Data-Driven HR Interventions: Provides HR with actionable data to justify and target well-being initiatives, moving from reactive to proactive support.
- Attraction of Talent: Companies known for supporting manager work-life balance can become more attractive employers.
- Reduced Health-Related Costs: Potentially lower costs associated with stress-related illnesses or absenteeism.
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Monetization Model: Subscription-based (SaaS), tiered by the number of managers or features. For example, Basic (individual manager tools), Pro (team analytics for supervisors), and Enterprise (full HR oversight and advanced analytics).
Origin Reddit Post
r/humanresources
Managers & above: How many hours do you work? [N/A]
Posted by u/Mrs_ippy_clean•06/01/2025
For reference, my experience is in academia in a rural area of the US - Midwest.
My supervisor (I’m an HRBP, sup is VP of HR) works all the time. Regularly in by 7:30, doesn’t take lunch, o
Top Comments
u/fairytale180
I'm in Dallas, TX at a Fortune 500, and at a manager/director level - rarely do more than 40 hours a week. I'm 16 years in with a child now and don't feel like giving my everything to work,
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
Alright, so you have the dream scenario! My biggest thing is having flexibility for raising my kiddo and that kind of schedule with WFH is amazing! Great work on getting there, however you di
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
WFH. Usually around 42 - 45 but it comes with plenty of flexibility.
Want to go to the gym during the day? CHRO & CEO don’t care as long as I have my phone.
Travel with fam? Yep, ju
u/Hrgooglefu
if you want to move up often you have to put in “extra” hours… but HR generally ebbs and flows throughout a year…
in the end, it can also come down to how productive you are…
u/DaArsonist
VP of HR in the energy sector at a mid size company, I average 50 hours a week in office and always looking at emails or answering calls.
I was previously an HR Manager in manufacturing, the
u/f0sterchild15
It’s cyclical for me. Summer - 35-40 hours. Work-life balance is good.
End of Sept - February, close to 55-60.
u/fjkjyfhj753
I am in Northern Europe as a head of HR and I work 40-45 hours a week. I only focus on high priority tasks when I surpass my regular 37 hours. I have a high degree of flexibility and when I’m
u/Sitheref0874
I've posted before that I was really lucky at that firm, and had excellent bosses.
The CHRO bought a massage table to help my recovery from eye surgery when I had to be face down for a few w
u/natalit420
42-45 or so. But I’m currently getting my masters so I am firm on not staying past my scheduled time unless absolutely dire.
u/curlyconscience
Im a supervisor / manager currently working for a Healthcare company as part of their payroll department. I range between 30ish hours of actual work to 50 or more depending upon the season. S
u/Hrgooglefu
if you want to move up often you have to put in “extra” hours… but HR generally ebbs and flows throughout a year…
in the end, it can also come down to how productive you are…
u/KarisPurr
I work as long as it takes. Similar to you, I’m a Sr BP and report to the SVP of HR. She works a lot more than I do, but she makes a lot more too.
Some weeks I’m working 50-60+ hours. Somet
u/curlyconscience
Im a supervisor / manager currently working for a Healthcare company as part of their payroll department. I range between 30ish hours of actual work to 50 or more depending upon the season. S
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
Alright, so you have the dream scenario! My biggest thing is having flexibility for raising my kiddo and that kind of schedule with WFH is amazing! Great work on getting there, however you di
u/porkandpickles
WFH - Tech - 800 employees - VP level
Average week is probably 55 hours? During busier times closer to 70, when it’s slower probably closer to 45.
It’s really variable and more along the
u/fjkjyfhj753
I am in Northern Europe as a head of HR and I work 40-45 hours a week. I only focus on high priority tasks when I surpass my regular 37 hours. I have a high degree of flexibility and when I’m
u/fjkjyfhj753
I am in Northern Europe as a head of HR and I work 40-45 hours a week. I only focus on high priority tasks when I surpass my regular 37 hours. I have a high degree of flexibility and when I’m
u/Ukelele-in-the-rain
I have something like this. I used to think this is the dream scenario but not anymore
My mental health has suffered after years of never being switched off. I ended up feeling like I’m “at
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
That would be nice to work fewer hours during the “off season” but my mindset just won’t let me get over 50-60+ hours a week feel like a LOT.
u/TheCoStudent
I’m in Northern Europe as a HRBP. I work about 34 hours each week. I have optimized a lot of my tasks without telling my manager though.
u/Hrgooglefu
yes 4 years of that “flexibility” finally burnt me out… it sounds good but I much prefer scheduled hybrid with “set” hours…
u/Zealousideal-Day3833
I wfh as an HR Manager at a 300 person org which operates nationwide. Generally I work 7:30-3:30/4/5 (or until 9-9:30) as work demands. If we are restructuring and I have a lot of prep work/l
u/TheCoStudent
I’m in Northern Europe as a HRBP. I work about 34 hours each week. I have optimized a lot of my tasks without telling my manager though.
u/MaintenanceOne5799
I’m a director for a company in the Midwest (600 ees). I work 8ish-4 Monday through Friday. I don’t usually take a lunch, but that’s just a bad habit of mine. I occasionally work more if it’s
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
I’m a solo parent 100% of the time without much family support so I’m looking at 42-45 as my absolute max. Are you in the emerging cannabis industry? I feel like that would be a good place to
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
Summers must be really fun! I live in the Midwest so generally Nov-Feb (ish) are really stuck-inside months around here already.
Unrelated but curious: how did you get into the payroll side
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
That’s really thoughtful of them, I definitely think how you’re treated helps with loyalty to the company.
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
The little bit of family I do have is in the States; if they weren’t, I’d be looking at moving to Europe. Y’all are so reasonable about work life balance, at least in this field, it seems.
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
It’s totally worth it! I turned down another offer that would have paid me 50k more to take this role because of the self-managed PTO and flexibility.
I did a lot of grinding out in governm
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
I was sort of thinking it is likely that the extra hours are a part of the whole deal, good that you were compensated well for all that work! And that you had flexibility on the not-so-busy w
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
Alright, so you have the dream scenario! My biggest thing is having flexibility for raising my kiddo and that kind of schedule with WFH is amazing! Great work on getting there, however you di
u/Sitheref0874
I did the hours that the work demanded.
I had periods of time where it was 75 hours; others where my boss didn't care because there was legitimately only 25 hours of 'necessary' work and I c
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
I was sort of thinking it is likely that the extra hours are a part of the whole deal, good that you were compensated well for all that work! And that you had flexibility on the not-so-busy w
u/Sitheref0874
I've posted before that I was really lucky at that firm, and had excellent bosses.
The CHRO bought a massage table to help my recovery from eye surgery when I had to be face down for a few w
u/takeme2themtns
Sr. HRD in manufacturing. 55-60 hours a week.
u/RileyKohaku
42 hours a week. I work for the government and there’s no expectation to come in early or stay late without paying overtime. The extra 2 hours is because I skip my lunch break almost every da
u/fairytale180
I'm in Dallas, TX at a Fortune 500, and at a manager/director level - rarely do more than 40 hours a week. I'm 16 years in with a child now and don't feel like giving my everything to work,
u/Sitheref0874
I did the hours that the work demanded.
I had periods of time where it was 75 hours; others where my boss didn't care because there was legitimately only 25 hours of 'necessary' work and I c
u/Hrgooglefu
yes 4 years of that “flexibility” finally burnt me out… it sounds good but I much prefer scheduled hybrid with “set” hours…
u/-clawglip-
More people need to realize “work from home” is just “live at work” for must people. Took my wife a few years to figure out the balance there
u/DaArsonist
VP of HR in the energy sector at a mid size company, I average 50 hours a week in office and always looking at emails or answering calls.
I was previously an HR Manager in manufacturing, the
u/Ukelele-in-the-rain
I have something like this. I used to think this is the dream scenario but not anymore
My mental health has suffered after years of never being switched off. I ended up feeling like I’m “at
u/Sitheref0874
I did the hours that the work demanded.
I had periods of time where it was 75 hours; others where my boss didn't care because there was legitimately only 25 hours of 'necessary' work and I c
u/Ukelele-in-the-rain
I have something like this. I used to think this is the dream scenario but not anymore
My mental health has suffered after years of never being switched off. I ended up feeling like I’m “at
u/MaintenanceOne5799
I’m a director for a company in the Midwest (600 ees). I work 8ish-4 Monday through Friday. I don’t usually take a lunch, but that’s just a bad habit of mine. I occasionally work more if it’s
u/klattklattklatt
I'm the 'Head of' working from home in a VHCOL (SF) and my weeks are usually 50 hours.
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
That’s interesting about manufacturing but it makes sense. I worked in the energy sector but I was in L&D back then and it was actually pretty close to 50 hours for that, too.
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
It’s totally worth it! I turned down another offer that would have paid me 50k more to take this role because of the self-managed PTO and flexibility.
I did a lot of grinding out in governm
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
I really hadn’t thought about that. I can appreciate needing time completely offline.
I have that because I’m not a manager right now (have been in the past but not in HR). I don’t have Team
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
That’s really thoughtful of them, I definitely think how you’re treated helps with loyalty to the company.
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
The little bit of family I do have is in the States; if they weren’t, I’d be looking at moving to Europe. Y’all are so reasonable about work life balance, at least in this field, it seems.
u/takeme2themtns
Sr. HRD in manufacturing. 55-60 hours a week.
u/natalit420
42-45 or so. But I’m currently getting my masters so I am firm on not staying past my scheduled time unless absolutely dire.
u/porkandpickles
WFH - Tech - 800 employees - VP level
Average week is probably 55 hours? During busier times closer to 70, when it’s slower probably closer to 45.
It’s really variable and more along the
u/Zealousideal-Day3833
I wfh as an HR Manager at a 300 person org which operates nationwide. Generally I work 7:30-3:30/4/5 (or until 9-9:30) as work demands. If we are restructuring and I have a lot of prep work/l
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
Good organizations are too hard to find from what I’ve gathered over time. Great that you found one and it sounds like a good situation, thanks for sharing!
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
WFH. Usually around 42 - 45 but it comes with plenty of flexibility.
Want to go to the gym during the day? CHRO & CEO don’t care as long as I have my phone.
Travel with fam? Yep, ju
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
WFH. Usually around 42 - 45 but it comes with plenty of flexibility.
Want to go to the gym during the day? CHRO & CEO don’t care as long as I have my phone.
Travel with fam? Yep, ju
u/Sitheref0874
I've posted before that I was really lucky at that firm, and had excellent bosses.
The CHRO bought a massage table to help my recovery from eye surgery when I had to be face down for a few w
u/curlyconscience
Im a supervisor / manager currently working for a Healthcare company as part of their payroll department. I range between 30ish hours of actual work to 50 or more depending upon the season. S
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
That’s really thoughtful of them, I definitely think how you’re treated helps with loyalty to the company.
u/takeme2themtns
Sr. HRD in manufacturing. 55-60 hours a week.
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
I was sort of thinking it is likely that the extra hours are a part of the whole deal, good that you were compensated well for all that work! And that you had flexibility on the not-so-busy w
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
The little bit of family I do have is in the States; if they weren’t, I’d be looking at moving to Europe. Y’all are so reasonable about work life balance, at least in this field, it seems.
u/KarisPurr
I work as long as it takes. Similar to you, I’m a Sr BP and report to the SVP of HR. She works a lot more than I do, but she makes a lot more too.
Some weeks I’m working 50-60+ hours. Somet
u/DaArsonist
VP of HR in the energy sector at a mid size company, I average 50 hours a week in office and always looking at emails or answering calls.
I was previously an HR Manager in manufacturing, the
u/Mrs_ippy_clean
If it pays enough to cover the bills, I’d turn down anything else, too. A lot of responses so far from people working over 50 hours a week and it scares me. Just not an option to maintain my
u/RileyKohaku
42 hours a week. I work for the government and there’s no expectation to come in early or stay late without paying overtime. The extra 2 hours is because I skip my lunch break almost every da
u/-clawglip-
More people need to realize “work from home” is just “live at work” for must people. Took my wife a few years to figure out the balance there
u/PM_YOUR_PET_PICS979
It’s totally worth it! I turned down another offer that would have paid me 50k more to take this role because of the self-managed PTO and flexibility.
I did a lot of grinding out in governm
u/Zealousideal-Day3833
I wfh as an HR Manager at a 300 person org which operates nationwide. Generally I work 7:30-3:30/4/5 (or until 9-9:30) as work demands. If we are restructuring and I have a lot of prep work/l
u/KarisPurr
I work as long as it takes. Similar to you, I’m a Sr BP and report to the SVP of HR. She works a lot more than I do, but she makes a lot more too.
Some weeks I’m working 50-60+ hours. Somet
u/natalit420
42-45 or so. But I’m currently getting my masters so I am firm on not staying past my scheduled time unless absolutely dire.
u/klattklattklatt
I'm the 'Head of' working from home in a VHCOL (SF) and my weeks are usually 50 hours.