Typical office work ethics?

[happydude]

I suppose it's only a problem if it's seen as a problem and blocking it out is easier said than done, but just wondered what others' experiences are.

Some people seem to have a very relaxed and leisurely-paced work day, taking long lunch breaks, frequently browsing the web (be it news etc), texting, taking personal calls which can be between 5 - 10 minutes, then taking lunch when back at their desk ...... you get my point. They're the one's who would say they are very busy, shuffling paperwork, occasionally looking up at monitor and clicking their mouse to give the perception they're working but in reality they're looking down on their phones.

Does this seem normal / acceptable / reasonable in the workplace environment?

Of course everyone needs to take a break, but sometimes it can become like a social club.

I do wonder how my colleagues will cope in another organisation with the laxed work attitudes they have. They also seem to be the ones who say and do the right things in front of the right people at the right time!

I do sometimes think my superiors are being mugged off as they're blind to certain things.

 

[johndon68]

I've worked for myself for over 10 years now but, previously, I managed a team in a multi national software company and I always worked on the basis that, as long as they got their assigned work done (which was trackable so I'd know if it wasn't done) and the clients they supported had no complaints then other stuff they did at their desks didn't bother me.

Other managers in the same organisation may well have done it differently...

John

 

[happydude]

Hi John

I was of that opinion too - as long as the work got done - but can't help thinking that some are just not pulling their weight and are probably only 60 - 70 % productive?

Maybe I just have a completely different work ethic or am overworked / underpaid?

Maybe I need to step it down a gear and re-align my productivity with others?

 

[Paul Norman]

Some people work best like that.

I tended to. I preferred to work as though it was an exam for a while, and then chill to catch my breath.

Of course, I did not have the internet, as I am older than Gandolf.

 

[Mr D]

Sounds like not being worked hard enough. Too many staff for the work available?

 

[happydude]

I think so.

In my eyes, those individuals are doing effectively less work, reserving 20 - 30% of their work time for personal reasons. That is why a department can be 'under-staffed' where in reality it's not.

There are daydreamers and people who 'work' for 5 minutes then text and do their own thing for the next 10 minutes!

They're just encouraging each other, but when the main boss steps through, all heads are down. How fake is that?

Suppose I'll be the one who'll walk ....

 

[Mr D]

And yet if staffing cut the ones remaining will be the ones complaining of overwork.
To be honest it reminds me of stories about council offices and civil service.

 

[happydude]

If I'm understanding you correctly Mr D, the ones remaining will be those who only do 60-70% (if that). If the department streamlines due to cost-cutting, they are the one's who will complain as the extra workload would take them beyond and outside of their comfort zone of doing 70% max?

It's interesting how they are able to get away with it!

 

[Bushman]

It's just poor management

 

[Mr D]

Yes, taking people outside what they want to do and getting them to do what they were hired to do.... some people resent that.

 

[happydude]

It's not just the time spent but also the quality of work which is questionable for the organisation I work for.

I think half of the people here are a waste of time and I'd not hesitate to fire if I had the choice.

 

[happydude]

Indeed Bushman, I also think it's bad management.

Also bad examples set by supposedly senior staff, so other staff think they too can do it if senior staff can get away with it.

 

[Newchodge]

Indeed Bushman, I also think it's bad management.

Also bad examples set by supposedly senior staff, so other staff think they too can do it if senior staff can get away with it.

As I understand this, you are an employee. While this situation may annoy you, unless you are management, it is none of your business. Your business is doing the job that your employers require of you and, if you do that and demonstrate that you are better than all your fellow employees, you may be rewarded.

 

[Mr D]

And the reward may be.... more work.
Its a common reward for the harder workers.

Disadvantage of working hard is it shows up those who are not and they can resent that.

 

[Julia Sta Romana]

For the most part, I think it's more important to track their output rather than track their hours. That's what we do especially since we have employees that telecommute or do remote work. It doesn't matter how long it takes for them to do their jobs, as long as they do it well and complete it in the allotted time.

 

[happydude]

And the reward may be.... more work.
Its a common reward for the harder workers.

Disadvantage of working hard is it shows up those who are not and they can resent that.

Cannot agree more! Makes slackers look bad and they tend to support each other! I think this is the problem.

Getting away with doing the least amount of work as possible / that they can get away with.

Either 'management' are muppets or there's favoritism within the department.

Some people are not able to meet deadlines blaming it on workload, but if they spent less time casually browsing the net, be on their phones and socialise, they would have done their work!