Thread by @kentcdodds

A company should not require you to work extra hours (I think even a 40 hour work week is too much).

If you want to work *for yourself* on weekends and evenings to level up then sure, do it.

I wouldn't have the freedom I have now without doing that in my 20s.

I still do that sometimes, but not nearly as much. I overdid it a bit occasionally (at the expense to my personal health and family). I probably could've made it fine by being more balanced.

If you just want to clock in for work, get stuff done, then clock out having given good work for your company in a reasonable amount of time and be done with it, that's great. Do that.

I just wouldn't have the career success and freedom that I have today if I had done that.

We also should acknowledge that nobody's experience can be perfectly translated to your own. We all come from different places with different levels of privilege and different experiences. Don't judge others for decisions they make based on requirements you know nothing about.

For example, if you're trying a career change then working extra hours is an unfortunate necessity. Also, many of my friends in marginalized groups tell me they need to work extra hours to be taken seriously in the workplace (which is just a terrible reality of our society).

Everyone's experience is different.

Companies should absolutely not require you to burn the candle at both ends as a regular way of doing business. If you do that for your own reasons, it's fine (it's what I did). Just be mindful and take care of yourself and your relationships.