The totally off-topic thread

[Pushka]

It's all about Trust really. And sometimes that Trust is misplaced and people take advantage of it. Quite disappointing really.

 

[erkpod]

I think it's great when employers and bosses allow a degree of flexibility.

This could be the case in John's example but the emails they are sending out about productivity seem to be in direct opposition to this view. Is it any wonder people are confused?

Over the years I have worked in places where the hours you were "seen" mattered a lot, irrespective of the output. These were also the places that loved to send out emails about productivity to all when it was apparent management did not have the fortitude to remove specific people. And having sat with the HR team and in hearing of all their moaning, I do know it was an issue about specific people.

I have also had the pleasure of working in teams with flexible working arrangements - working from home, different start/finish times etc. To some it might look people were slacking off but as a person who took advantage of this, I never questioned why people were not at their desks from 9-5.

In some ways, I am glad that basically every minute of my rostered shift is accounted for in one way or another. The people who need to care in my food chain know when I am doing what I should be & for the most part, my co-workers don't care. Usually, I don't have to worry about taking my work home with me although sometimes I take the effects home with me.

 

[markis10]

In some ways, I am glad that basically every minute of my rostered shift is accounted for in one way or another. The people who need to care in my food chain know when I am doing what I should be & for the most part, my co-workers don't care. Usually, I don't have to worry about taking my work home with me although sometimes I take the effects home with me.

One of the first things we did as trainee Air Traffic Controllers was watch a video on PTSD and Train Drivers in Sydney, it was an eye opener, although I remember a few years later when we had a flood of talent, some left to do that very job!

 

[erkpod]

One of the first things we did as trainee Air Traffic Controllers was watch a video on PTSD and Train Drivers in Sydney, it was an eye opener, although I remember a few years later when we had a flood of talent, some left to do that very job!

I've probably never seen it in that case!

If only my rostering was as good as it is for airline crews!

I know a couple of guys from the airlines (one was an FA amongst other things, another I think was a baggage handler), another guy was ex Customs & one of the senior managers is ex VA. I don't know any ex ATC but they could be doing a similar job with us.

 

[Pushka]

My heart stopped last night when I heard an Australian 22 year old baseball scholarship USA college player had been shot in a drive past. One of our friends 22 year old son has been in the USA doing exactly the same. Turned out to be a different lad but when will the Americans put away the guns. Just a waste of a good young life.

 

[JohnK]

I have had an employee that did take a bit extra time for lunch somedays and also finished a bit earlier but at the end of the day if they needed to work later or start a bit early no probs at all.

I am all for flexibility.

Every person has to work for 37.5 hours and some people are allowed to work from home occasionally. There is no such thing as finish your work and you can have extra time off. If that was the case then I would only need to work half the time. I am serious when I say the gap in productivity levels between myself and the next person is huge but is not reflected in salary.

As an example another of my work colleagues used to spend about 90 minutes in the lunch room reading the paper and used to stay at work longer but after complaints was told to cut back lunch to 45 minutes.

Now this lady I am referring to does not work from home. She is not a genius. She fudges her time. She sneaks out to go shopping regularly. She spents an inappropriate amount of time preparing lunch and then eating at her desk. She goes to the gym everyday. Most of her jobs take much longer to finish and is always going over on estimates. I would be surprised if she did more than 25 hours/week yet she seems to get away with it.

There are others but not as bad.

Our productivity is down but the empire builders are hiring more each day.

I am not really complaining as I have flexible working conditions and work extra hours beginning of week slowing down end of week. Some Fridays I am only at work for 1 hour before heading back to Sydney.

 

[cove]

It is possible to have a BBQ in London. Reminded us of Melbourne where you have 4 weather changes in an afternoon.
A lovely idea to put on your Bucket List.

 

[QF WP]

My heart stopped last night when I heard an Australian 22 year old baseball scholarship USA college player had been shot in a drive past. One of our friends 22 year old son has been in the USA doing exactly the same. Turned out to be a different lad but when will the Americans put away the guns. Just a waste of a good young life.

Just read that story on my way home (train tonight). Terrible that he and his US girlfriend had only arrived back from Melbourne 3 days ago. Senseless. At least they got the 3 lads (14,15 & 16) before they followed up with the second (intended) killing

 

[Flashback]

I am all for flexibility.

Every person has to work for 37.5 hours and some people are allowed to work from home occasionally. There is no such thing as finish your work and you can have extra time off. If that was the case then I would only need to work half the time. I am serious when I say the gap in productivity levels between myself and the next person is huge but is not reflected in salary.

As an example another of my work colleagues used to spend about 90 minutes in the lunch room reading the paper and used to stay at work longer but after complaints was told to cut back lunch to 45 minutes.

Now this lady I am referring to does not work from home. She is not a genius. She fudges her time. She sneaks out to go shopping regularly. She spents an inappropriate amount of time preparing lunch and then eating at her desk. She goes to the gym everyday. Most of her jobs take much longer to finish and is always going over on estimates. I would be surprised if she did more than 25 hours/week yet she seems to get away with it.

There are others but not as bad.

Our productivity is down but the empire builders are hiring more each day.

I am not really complaining as I have flexible working conditions and work extra hours beginning of week slowing down end of week. Some Fridays I am only at work for 1 hour before heading back to Sydney.

The thing that comes to mind here is "welcome to the real world". Stuff happens, no point dwelling on it.

 

[Shelf]

One of the first things we did as trainee Air Traffic Controllers was watch a video on PTSD and Train Drivers in Sydney, it was an eye opener, although I remember a few years later when we had a flood of talent, some left to do that very job!

PTSD is a horrible thing, I've worked with a couple of guys who have/had it.

 

[erkpod]

PTSD is a horrible thing, I've worked with a couple of guys who have/had it.

If I was to be properly diagnosed, I probably do have PTSD.

 

[JohnK]

The thing that comes to mind here is "welcome to the real world". Stuff happens, no point dwelling on it.

I think you misunderstand.

I simply wanted some opinions and discussion has flowed on from there.

I have been in the real world for longer than you have been alive. I know how to handle myself in IT including slowing production to fit those around you. I am not interested in overachieving for a measly 2%-3% increase at the best of times.

I do not lose any sleep on this matter. But one thing is clear in my mind and that is the art of managing has disappeared. Suck it and see is not a successful management approach.

 

[Julesmac]

And the smartest fellows in the joint are not always the ones in the corner office.

 

[Pushka]

In some ways, I am glad that basically every minute of my rostered shift is accounted for in one way or another. The people who need to care in my food chain know when I am doing what I should be & for the most part, my co-workers don't care. Usually, I don't have to worry about taking my work home with me although sometimes I take the effects home with me.

I think most people do that. As business owners we never can say we can leave our work at work.

 

[anat0l]

And the smartest fellows in the joint are not always the ones in the corner office.

They definitely aren't, but they were at least smart enough to negotiate for a corner office

 

[erkpod]

They definitely aren't, but they were at least smart enough to negotiate for a corner office

My office is always at the front...

 

[erkpod]

Got to love how the Qld Police use social media - they have a good sense of humour when it can be used.

Their latest example:

RT @QPSmedia: Errant cow Warwick St Harristown, cows are red/green colour blind hence their issues at traffic lights #qldtraffic

 

[whatmeworry]

And the smartest fellows in the joint are not always the ones in the corner office.

Generally the ones that can lie the best.

 

[Skyring]

My heart stopped last night when I heard an Australian 22 year old baseball scholarship USA college player had been shot in a drive past. One of our friends 22 year old son has been in the USA doing exactly the same. Turned out to be a different lad but when will the Americans put away the guns. Just a waste of a good young life.

Four lives - as the shooters will likely spend a long time in prison.

America is a good example of how not to do it. Nearly 7 000 killed in 2013 - and it's only August. Look at the lost years of life, and those lost in America's massive prison system.

One of John Howard's first acts was to cut back on firearms. That must have saved a great many Australian lives.

 

[TheEmu]

They definitely aren't, but they were at least smart enough to negotiate for a corner office

My office is always at the front...

…and there's always corners to negotiate…