Thanks for that- guess one just has to live with some if this!

good luck. I can only asssume/hope the financial rewards are worth it in the end.

Thank you. Take care.

I used to be a nanny in America and found that I had to be quite strong about not getting into a routine of working my regular hours and then being around to just help out.

In the end, particularly at weekends, I used to go out - whether it was to a coffee shop for a few hours to read/surf the net; friends; shopping or simply to go away.

I found it difficult during the week when I was clearly in the house still and found that I did do extra as a matter of course.

You need to set some boundaries that you are all happy with. I am the worst person for confrontation and generally end up getting unhappy and having a 'melt down' rather than address the (perceived) imbalances as they arose. Even now, in my office job which is 8.30am - 4.30pm I am usually here until 6pm and then when I leave, I check my blackberry and take calls, but this is my way of doing my job and the financial rewards are such that it is okay.

I also have friends who refused to have blackberrys or will switch them off after 6pm and at weekends. I guess I am too much of a control freak!

Good luck Helen44.

I'm currently on annual leave in the UK and have received alot of seemingly pointless calls, there is no respect for personal time, I have pointed out I am on leave and there is a time difference (being woken up at 5am isn't funny and they did get a mouthful) but they just don't get it- my boss had the right idea of not telling anyone his personal mobile number and leaving his work phone at the office!

I will be seeking revenge wen they all go on holiday! Mwahahahahahaa

When I was about to come out here, the dickless HR departmetn at al futtaim ran gme up at 5am on a sunday morning, I had been asleep for about two hours and was not happy at all.

How could they not know in the UK we don't work Sundays and there's a time difference?

Yeah - they remember what they want to remember!