CEO Makes A LinkedIn Post Saying “Never Hire Anyone That’s Looking For Work Life Balance,” And It Backfires
With 24/7 connectivity, it is easy for work to invade our personal time and cause burnout. So maintaining a healthy harmony between the two has become a high priority for many.
But if they’re applying for a job with Scott Kuru, these candidates most probably won’t get it. The property investor and business mentor, who is highly active on social media, recently turned to LinkedIn to share his thoughts on the issue, advising people to “not hire anyone who is looking for work-life balance.”
Kuru’s post immediately ignited a discussion on topics like ambition, productivity, and mental health, so we at Bored Panda decided to explore it.
This CEO shared a controversial opinion on work-life balance, advising everyone not to hire low-performing B players
Image credits: kitzstocker (not the actual photo)
And it’s now making rounds on LinkedIn
Credits: Scott Kuru
We need work. Researchers have demonstrated not only that labor leads to validation but that, when these feelings are threatened, we’re particularly drawn to activities that require effort – often some form of work – because these highlight our ability to shape our environment, confirming our identities as competent individuals.
Being active even seems to make us happier in circumstances when we could choose leisure instead. This was demonstrated by a series of experiments in which participants had the option to be idle (waiting in a room for 15 minutes for an experiment to start) or to be busy (walking for 15 minutes to another venue to participate in an experiment). Even though few participants chose to be busy unless they were forced to make the walk, or given a reason to (being told there was chocolate at the other venue), the researchers found that, somewhat counterintuitively, those who did ended up significantly happier than those who spent the 15 minutes waiting – no matter whether they had a choice or chocolate, or neither.
The idea that work, or putting effort into tasks, contributes to our general well-being is closely related to the psychological concept of eudaimonic happiness – the sort of happiness that we derive from optimal functioning and realizing our potential.
The post quickly went viral and has received many reactions
Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual photo)
However, take it to the extreme and the picture quickly changes.
Burnout is broadly defined as physical and emotional exhaustion, coupled with decreased motivation and lowered performance at work. The American Psychological Association (APA) said it “results from performing at a high level until stress and tension, especially from extreme and prolonged physical or mental exertion or an overburdening workload, take their toll.” In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) included burnout in its International Classification of Diseases and defined it as an “occupational phenomenon” (while also maintaining it is not a medical condition).
Burnout has traditionally been associated with executives in industries that have a long-lasting culture of presenteeism, like law, consulting, and finance. However, it’s increasingly affecting different generational cohorts, especially young people, and is manifesting across an array of sectors.
According to the nationally representative 2022-2023 Aflac WorkForces Report, more than half (59%) of American workers are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout, a notable increase over 2021 (52%) and on par with the levels reported in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also found that employees are asking for mental health care in higher numbers than ever before.
- Mental health negatively affected the performances of nearly half (46%) of the U.S. workforce in the past year — a significant increase over 2021 (34%);
- More than half (51%) of employers recognize that employee mental health issues have affected their businesses over the past year;
- Nearly 80% of employees state that mental health coverage is critical, yet only 61% have access to mental health care as part of their benefits package.
In one of the largest studies of burnout, Gallup found the biggest source was “unfair treatment at work.” That was followed by an unmanageable workload, unclear communication from managers, lack of manager support, and unreasonable time pressure.
The researchers pointed out that the thing those five causes have in common is your boss. “Get a bad one and you are almost guaranteed to hate your job,” they wrote. “A bad boss will ignore you, disrespect you and never support you. Environments like that can make anyone miserable. A manager’s effect on a workplace is so significant that Gallup can predict 70% of the variance in team engagement just by getting to know the boss.”
And that number is expensive. Employees who are not engaged or who are actively disengaged cost the world $7.8 trillion in lost productivity, according to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report.
Most of which are negative
Image credits: nikki_meel (not the actual photo)
Kuru then released a follow-up statement, further explaining his thoughts
Credits: Scott Kuru
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Kuru: "I am not against work life balance. Balance is important". Also Kuru: "Never hire anyone that's looking for work life balance". Translation: "Work life balance is important for ME, but everyone else can get f****d". The CEO mantra.
Nobody ever laid on their deathbed and wished they'd spent more time at work.
So his response was to explain that HE values HIS work/life balance "For example, I need to stay busy on projects both work and non work related constantly, so that I feel healthy and happy", but he's screening his employees for the people who also want to be able to work on personal projects as well as working on work... because he deserves to have employees who are fully committed to maintaining his work life balance at the expense of their own.
I'll keep it simple: F**k all the way off, Scott Kuru. (Not surprised his last name is also a disease that affects cannibals.)
That’s funny and simply not the reality were willing to accept anymore. I worked 80+ hrs 6 days a week in my mid 20’s. Not cause I wanted to but cause I kept getting scheduled and told we were short staffed like it was my problem. Burned out after 4 months and I can say with pure confidence that there is nothing more important to me then a work life balance now. #sorrynotsorry
if you want someone giving 50% for 40 hrs, you got it. if you want someone who is focused 100% for 30 hrs a week, you might want that more.
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If that wasn't some grade A backpedaling, I don't know what is. Lol This guy is an out of touch tool.
Maybe if people working in sales weren't being "driven to grow" they could actually be helpful useful parts of the purchasing process instead of pushy jerks who don't give a damn if what you buy is actually what you want.
Kuru's response to criticism: "What I really meant was....." Me: Backpedal faster, a*****e.
The key is not to look for a work-life balance. The key is to insist on it from Day 1.
It's pretty simple to me - if my contract is for 40hrs a week and xx days annual leave for which I'll be paid ££££ then I'm taking my leave and working my hours. If I need to work extra one day/ week or month then I'll take that time owed back when it's quieter. It's not my company and I don't work for free. I've held this line my whole career and climbed up the ladder to a higher management position. I tell my staff the same thing. We're good at what we do and a happy team. Any boss who insisted I worked a 50hr week with the extra time being unpaid would get told to go forth and multiply!
This guy also posted a video which claims there is no such thing as toxic masculinity…true story
“However am in the business of providing people with an opportunity to earn money and grow their career. (I have here a list of those people. Me. End of list)”
Mr. Kuru, I will be as devoted to your business as you are when my compensation is the same as yours.
I feel justified in saying this with passion: F**K SCOTT KURU TIL HIS EARS BLEED from now until til the end of all time! I work to live; I don't live to work. The sooner clowns like this leave the planet, the better.
My old company had a work plan where every two weeks we had Friday off when we worked 9 hours every other day. That was so great since we worked long hours anyways. I miss that.
My first thought, he was referring to people who say work/life balance as code for, occupy space and get paid, that's it, not interested in doing much of a job. most of the posts seem to be looking from the other end, want to work well at work, and be able to not be at work when done, work hard/play hard.
So what you need is someone who can give 120% because they have a coke habit, and will do whatever you ask to keep getting money for coke
I spent 1 summer working 7days a week/12 hour days for 12 straight weeks. 8 of those weeks were in an isolated camp with 40 other people. Wait, I did get 4 days off. My pipe fitter father worked this schedule, except having 2 weeks off for every 6 weeks of work, from April to October for almost 25 years and it was out of town in isolated areas. I remember him being home for maybe 3 of my May birthdays from the age of 6 to 18. He missed countless football, hockey and basketball games. He retired at 52 but in all the memories our family would share, he was only there for less than half of them. I don't wish that life for anybody.
Hope this a*****e goes out of business because no one will work for him
If people are able to prove they can do the job your asking them to do in less time without loss of quality, I don't understand the problem. That's a company with a bad understanding of their own expectations. However, I understand where this guy is coming from in a way; I was a manager of a small business and I got tired of everyone's mental health/home issues being my problem. We ALL have issues. We still have to find a way to work with them. Someone who applies for a job requiring xxxx and the person agrees to that, then 2 months into the job suddenly doesn't want to do it because they need to 'take care of me'....I feel like that person committed fraud against the company. We put time, effort and sweat into training. Taking a full time job when you have no intention of staying or doing it because 'it's too much' is not the 'big bad' company's fault. That being said, it's been proven that a better balance provides better work output. It depends on the job, though.
This is 100% the real estate industry, the original grifters' hustle club.
CEOs need to learn that people go to work to make money so they can have a good life, people shouldn't sacrifice their life for a company cus that company doesn't give a s**t. obviously start up companies are different.
How can this person not understand that people's families take precedence over their work load? He obviously doesn't have one. Which is kinda sad. However if he does have a family and this is his mentality, I feel bad for them as he's clearly a d*ck.
This couldn't be more obvious. Of course you want a work-life balance. Any mentally/emotionally healthy person does. When asked in an interview what's one of your most important goals in this work relationship - where you're paid for your performance & productivity - that's the dumbest answer you could give. It's the same as demanding free lunches and cappuccinos and a red wine dispenser, "mental health" days whenever you feel like it, a nap room for when you're feeling a little run down and foot rubs on demand.
Didnt people in the 80s just off themselves instead of seeking help for stress? and in the 80s you didnt have to work as much as you do now to afford things, back then a family of 3-4 ppl could be supported on one salary
Load More Replies... Kuru: "I am not against work life balance. Balance is important". Also Kuru: "Never hire anyone that's looking for work life balance". Translation: "Work life balance is important for ME, but everyone else can get f****d". The CEO mantra.
Nobody ever laid on their deathbed and wished they'd spent more time at work.
So his response was to explain that HE values HIS work/life balance "For example, I need to stay busy on projects both work and non work related constantly, so that I feel healthy and happy", but he's screening his employees for the people who also want to be able to work on personal projects as well as working on work... because he deserves to have employees who are fully committed to maintaining his work life balance at the expense of their own.
I'll keep it simple: F**k all the way off, Scott Kuru. (Not surprised his last name is also a disease that affects cannibals.)
That’s funny and simply not the reality were willing to accept anymore. I worked 80+ hrs 6 days a week in my mid 20’s. Not cause I wanted to but cause I kept getting scheduled and told we were short staffed like it was my problem. Burned out after 4 months and I can say with pure confidence that there is nothing more important to me then a work life balance now. #sorrynotsorry
if you want someone giving 50% for 40 hrs, you got it. if you want someone who is focused 100% for 30 hrs a week, you might want that more.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies... If that wasn't some grade A backpedaling, I don't know what is. Lol This guy is an out of touch tool.
Maybe if people working in sales weren't being "driven to grow" they could actually be helpful useful parts of the purchasing process instead of pushy jerks who don't give a damn if what you buy is actually what you want.
Kuru's response to criticism: "What I really meant was....." Me: Backpedal faster, a*****e.
The key is not to look for a work-life balance. The key is to insist on it from Day 1.
It's pretty simple to me - if my contract is for 40hrs a week and xx days annual leave for which I'll be paid ££££ then I'm taking my leave and working my hours. If I need to work extra one day/ week or month then I'll take that time owed back when it's quieter. It's not my company and I don't work for free. I've held this line my whole career and climbed up the ladder to a higher management position. I tell my staff the same thing. We're good at what we do and a happy team. Any boss who insisted I worked a 50hr week with the extra time being unpaid would get told to go forth and multiply!
This guy also posted a video which claims there is no such thing as toxic masculinity…true story
“However am in the business of providing people with an opportunity to earn money and grow their career. (I have here a list of those people. Me. End of list)”
Mr. Kuru, I will be as devoted to your business as you are when my compensation is the same as yours.
I feel justified in saying this with passion: F**K SCOTT KURU TIL HIS EARS BLEED from now until til the end of all time! I work to live; I don't live to work. The sooner clowns like this leave the planet, the better.
My old company had a work plan where every two weeks we had Friday off when we worked 9 hours every other day. That was so great since we worked long hours anyways. I miss that.
My first thought, he was referring to people who say work/life balance as code for, occupy space and get paid, that's it, not interested in doing much of a job. most of the posts seem to be looking from the other end, want to work well at work, and be able to not be at work when done, work hard/play hard.
So what you need is someone who can give 120% because they have a coke habit, and will do whatever you ask to keep getting money for coke
I spent 1 summer working 7days a week/12 hour days for 12 straight weeks. 8 of those weeks were in an isolated camp with 40 other people. Wait, I did get 4 days off. My pipe fitter father worked this schedule, except having 2 weeks off for every 6 weeks of work, from April to October for almost 25 years and it was out of town in isolated areas. I remember him being home for maybe 3 of my May birthdays from the age of 6 to 18. He missed countless football, hockey and basketball games. He retired at 52 but in all the memories our family would share, he was only there for less than half of them. I don't wish that life for anybody.
Hope this a*****e goes out of business because no one will work for him
If people are able to prove they can do the job your asking them to do in less time without loss of quality, I don't understand the problem. That's a company with a bad understanding of their own expectations. However, I understand where this guy is coming from in a way; I was a manager of a small business and I got tired of everyone's mental health/home issues being my problem. We ALL have issues. We still have to find a way to work with them. Someone who applies for a job requiring xxxx and the person agrees to that, then 2 months into the job suddenly doesn't want to do it because they need to 'take care of me'....I feel like that person committed fraud against the company. We put time, effort and sweat into training. Taking a full time job when you have no intention of staying or doing it because 'it's too much' is not the 'big bad' company's fault. That being said, it's been proven that a better balance provides better work output. It depends on the job, though.
This is 100% the real estate industry, the original grifters' hustle club.
CEOs need to learn that people go to work to make money so they can have a good life, people shouldn't sacrifice their life for a company cus that company doesn't give a s**t. obviously start up companies are different.
How can this person not understand that people's families take precedence over their work load? He obviously doesn't have one. Which is kinda sad. However if he does have a family and this is his mentality, I feel bad for them as he's clearly a d*ck.
This couldn't be more obvious. Of course you want a work-life balance. Any mentally/emotionally healthy person does. When asked in an interview what's one of your most important goals in this work relationship - where you're paid for your performance & productivity - that's the dumbest answer you could give. It's the same as demanding free lunches and cappuccinos and a red wine dispenser, "mental health" days whenever you feel like it, a nap room for when you're feeling a little run down and foot rubs on demand.
Didnt people in the 80s just off themselves instead of seeking help for stress? and in the 80s you didnt have to work as much as you do now to afford things, back then a family of 3-4 ppl could be supported on one salary
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