'Presenteeism' in the work place
Biffo the Bear
Posts: 25,859 Forum Member
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What are people's opinions on modern work practices?
I take that stance of: as long as the work gets done by its deadline, I don't care what time you come in, what time you go, if you do it at home or wherever.
However, many old school managers are very much of the opinion that people simply 'have to be sat there in the office' where they must do their work, with all the added distractions of working in an office, with phones ringing and people gossiping etc.
Do you think that, as a society, we're going to move more towards accepting homeworking as the norm where it doesn't pose any problems, and the idea of offices where everyone's crammed in, spreading germs, will eventually disappear?
I take that stance of: as long as the work gets done by its deadline, I don't care what time you come in, what time you go, if you do it at home or wherever.
However, many old school managers are very much of the opinion that people simply 'have to be sat there in the office' where they must do their work, with all the added distractions of working in an office, with phones ringing and people gossiping etc.
Do you think that, as a society, we're going to move more towards accepting homeworking as the norm where it doesn't pose any problems, and the idea of offices where everyone's crammed in, spreading germs, will eventually disappear?
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Comments
Whilst i enjoy working from home at times, I find i work longer hours and feel the need to justify myself more - not through any pressure from anyone, just myself really - i like being visible and enjoy the company.
The alternative is I could ask all the patients to come in early, check them in and tell them to look after themselves until it's their turn and redirect the phones to my mobile and carry a box of prescriptions on my back. Then I could.
Now I am at a huge publishing house and we have flexitime. I feel far more inclined to get my work done and do a bit more. It's not presenteeism to me, but being treated like a responsible adult.
However my old experiences have given me a lasting legacy so I'd do my utmost to get to work rather than work from home even though I know I can, esp. in this weather.
Me too! (was about to post, I don't buy anyone anything! - some nicer ones get a card tho lol)
As for the original question. I'm all for the flexibility side of things, so long as it works both ways. Of course, it rarely does so I can see why some bosses insist on a set routine.
As a line manager I'm the same. That's why I get fed up with tittle tattle about my best and most productive people taking 20 minutes instead of 15, for their mid morning break. I'm not interested.
As long as they get their job done accurately and productively, I really don't care what they do the rest of the time. In fact I think it might compromise their work rate if I started carping on at them for petty infringements.
If you have the kind of job which doesn't require any special equipment, contact with the public, contact with a product, or frequent collaboration with colleagues then offices are not needed.
However, I'm not sure what percentage of jobs would come into that category - at a guess I would say <10%.
I think that for most people working from home is not a practical option.
Now it's nearly all done over the internet I hardly ever go out, expect for shopping...........I can go days or weeks without talking to anyone.........
It's great..............:p