Untitled – ‘cuz I just can’t think of a good one!
I don’t believe in the 9-5 workday model. I find that I am simply not productive before 10am. I DO find that I’m REALLY productive from about 11am-2pm and then again from 9pm-11pm. But that doesn’t work for your average employer – they want you to punch the clock – real or “vitual.”
Ahhhhh…..What is the “virtual” time clock you ask?
That’s the company receptionist that is told to write down the comings and goings of employees – what they arrive, how long they are gone for lunch, (and who they leave with) and what time they leave for the day. Does it happen? Of course it does – and more often than you realize. Never mind that you’ve been there for years and have proven that you always get your job done…. that doesn’t matter. You’re a warm body in a seat. You’re not trusted. You’re not valued.
I once worked in an atmosphere where I was trusted. I worked at my desk in my office, or at home in the dinging room….. but I always got my job done – and then some. Why? Because being trusted made me feel valuable. Feeling valuable gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment in my work. Creativity flowed. If I had trouble concentrating at 8am it wasn’t a problem because I could work during the hours I felt I was most productive. I worked harder because I didn’t want to lose that trust. I was motivated, dedicated……and HAPPY!
Happiness shows in your work. Especially if you already love the work you do. Put the two together and you can accomplish amazing things – and I DID!
I don’t work there anymore. Well, I do – sort of. The name on the paycheck hasn’t changed, but the company culture has. As a result, I no longer feel the need to excel. I’m not recognized for it, and certainly not given the opportunity to share my talent.
There’s a BIG white elephant sitting in the corner and it doesn’t seem like anyone wants to acknowledge it.
The company is mortally wounded – bleeding form the jugular. Sure….. they can patch it up by bringing in some new management, but the scars will still be there. The words “All Staff Mandatory meeting” set off a wave of nausea, anxiety and outright FEAR in our staff. I’d say a good 80% of us are “medicated” just to keep us going. We can’t afford to quit. Every person I have talked to within the organization is looking for a new job, but they simply aren’t out there.
And so, it would seem, the company has us by the balls. They know we can’t quit because there aren’t any jobs out there. We have families and mortgages, and orthodontist bills….
And insurance copayments for our psychiatrist, therapist or psychotherapist……copays for our anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic, mood stabilizing and antidepressant drugs.
And fear.
I think they feed on the fear.
