Reply #35: One thing I've realized is that when I feel like I'm being allowed to have a life outside [View All]

[grace0418]

of work, and when I am trusted to get the job done without constant infantilizing supervision, not only do I get the job done, I get it done faster, more efficiently and more successfully.

I used to work at an office where everyone was treated like untrustworthy children who would slack off every chance they got. We had very strict hours (including lunch ONLY from 12 to 1) with very little time off. Naturally we were expected to stay late for the company's benefit if something needed to get done (with no overtime of course), but if we were caught up on work and had a personal errand or obligation, that wasn't allowed. Funny how rules like that always seem to benefit the company over the employee.

So what happened? We *did* surf the internet and do other things besides working. Why? Because (A) if it was going to be assumed that we were a bunch of slackers no matter what we did (including always getting our work done on time), then we were going to at least have some of the pleasures of slacking. And because (B) it was such a hassle to take any time off and we had so little time off to use, we all tried to do as many errands as possible during the day. That included making appointments and phone calls, shopping online, booking travel, sending emails, etc. Most doctors, contractors, repairmen, etc. are only available to speak during the day anyway so what can you do?

Now that I'm freelancing, sometimes I work for 12 hours straight or more with barely a bathroom break. Sometimes I can take an afternoon off to do something or just relax. Either way, I feel so much more in control of my workflow and my productivity. I feel like this could exist in a company as well. People who feel valued, respected and are allowed to take ownership of their work/life balance will do a better job. They'll take pride in their work and work more efficiently if they know that working late one day will mean they can come in late or leave early on another day.

I remember one time at my old job working 15 days straight, including weekends, early mornings and evenings to get a project done for a big meeting. The day I finished (late in the afternoon), my boss came into my office five fucking minutes before I was supposed to leave for the day and asked what I was working on. I said "I just finished up XYZ and I'm ready for new work, " assuming she and I would discuss new projects in the morning. I then promptly got reprimanded for not coming to her the second I finished and asking for more work. This was after I had already worked 10 hours that very day, and she was in that big meeting all afternoon! Heaven forbid I "slack off" for five minutes and actually leave on time. Oh, and of course there was NEVER any thanks or praise for the 15 days of overtime I put in the get the project done. This kind of thing happened all the time and made everyone in my department feel like there was no point in busting our butts because nothing ever worked out in our favor.

I feel like, from talking to friends and being in the working world for many years now, that this kind of behavior on the part of companies is not uncommon at all. I just don't understand why they can't see how it undermines morale and productivity to treat employees this way. Sure there are people who would take advantage of situations if given more freedom, but they'd be pretty easy to weed out if everyone else was feeling more engaged and productive.

Just my $0.02. Sorry for such a long-winded reply. :) :hi: