OK. You guys are all trying to generalize and attack.
Kevin: I most definatley agree that we are lucky to have our jobs, especially in the current economic state, and agree that we need to work at what we get paid for.
I also think that Friday afternoon is much less productive (most weeks) than other days of the week. This is due in part to the reasons that Andrew mentioned above, but also to the fact that we are exhausted.
I'm 26. I work hard and I play hard. I work 12-14 hours of chargeable time a day somedays (and other days its only 8)and then on Friday's (sometimes) we'll go grab a beer or soemthing in the afternoon or spend some time sending back pointless emails.
This does not mean (Alison/Kelly) that we do not like our jobs or are not interested, this does not mean (Kevin) that we are "slackers", and it does not mean (Andrew) that our bosses are in denial (believe me, they know that friday's are unproductive). It simply means that as adults, we should know what needs to get done and be responsible and RESPECTFUl about when it gets done.
Holly
of NY
@
Mar 13, 2009 15:26:41 PM
@ Kev
I'd be an old man to a "twenty-something entrepreneur" anyhow. I have no problem dishing out contrarian career perspectives; it's what I do.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the majority of employees (if they were honest with themselves) would side with me on this one. It's the career-industry folks, who make up the majority of career blog traffic for some odd reason, who aren't honest with themselves about what employees want or think.
Again, thanks for reading and commenting. All barbing aside, I do appreciate it.
Andrew G.R.
of NY
@
Aug 05, 2008 14:20:53 PM
Andrew...
Not a personal insult at all; simply observations that as an entrepreneur I sure wouldn't want you on my team. Good luck - with this kind of public attitude toward your expecation of being left alone while being paid by your employer you're going to need it.
I know many twenty-something entrepreneurs that wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole after these comments.
Kevin
of VA
@
Aug 02, 2008 11:28:34 AM
Kelly O...
KO: Do you really think there is one set of career advice that applies to everybody? That sounds like a very old school, Web 1.0 approach to work. US News is unafraid to bring in bloggers from all walks of life (young and old) to share their unique perspectives. If you're looking for that carbon copy job junk, I recommend one of those HotMonsterBuilder sites.
Kelly, you do sound like a model employee. Your organization is lucky to have you!
Andrew G.R.
of NY
@
Jul 27, 2008 12:47:45 PM
Oh, Kevin!
Kev: I'd bet my little slacker life you bleed HR blood. Personal insults do nothing but make you look small. You might disagree with my stance on this issue, but your sweeping generalizations about me are way off.
However, congratulations to everyone who does NOT feel this way about Friday afternoons. I'm glad to hear that you have jobs that are so fulfilling that your weekend plans can wait.
Andrew G.R.
of NY
@
Jul 24, 2008 22:29:43 PM
Wow
When you're in the office, on the clock, you have to be prepared for the Friday afternoon meeting, or the fire that must be fought at 4:45 regardless of whether you're scheduled to clock out at 5:00 or not.
Quite frankly this is the attitude that makes some people call certain generations a bunch of apathetic slackers. If you have a job you love, you don't mind the time spent in meetings, or even the opportunity to brainstorm over the weekend.
Maybe that 4:00 Friday meeting was called to let you know about a bigger meeting on Monday or Tuesday, and you've got time to prepare. Maybe that 4:00 Friday meeting lets you know about how your company will be in the news over the weekend or on Monday morning and they want you to know first. Heck, maybe your boss is leaving (and you're in an industry that doesn't allow a notice) and s/he wants to say goodbye formally to the group.
If you have a job that keeps you that distanced perhaps it's time to re-evaluate your career and find something that engages you and makes you feel better about your environment. And honestly, I shudder to think why someone with an attitude like that would be writing career advice for US News.
Kelly O
of AL
@
Jul 23, 2008 17:53:30 PM
partly agree
My office now relaxes after lunch on Fridays, but I think it is partly because we all have a company paid lunch together every friday, so we sit around chatting after, going back to work about 2 for a cruisey afternoon, AS LONG AS ITS QUIET anyway. If its busy, we get stuck in. There are 4 employees.
My old job though, didn't wind down on Friday afternoon until 4pm or so, 500+ employees.
So I think office size and responsiblities can play a part.
Dataceptionist
@
Jul 22, 2008 21:50:35 PM
gosh
This is true some places; it is not true everywhere. At the best places I have worked, this was absolutely not the case, because people liked their jobs and were motivated. At the worst places I have worked, this was definitely the case, because no one was invested in what they were doing.
At my current office, it's not unusual to see people working late on a Friday -- to be clear, not at all because they have to, but because they're enthusiastic about what they're working on. For me, this is one of the best indicators of whether it's an environment I want to work in.
Alison Green
of DC
@
Jul 22, 2008 21:08:51 PM
Re: Attention Bosses: Leave Us Alone...
"Bosses have unrealistic expectations or are in denial" about expecting you to be working when we are paying you to work? Really? The last time I checked, it was a privilege to have a job and be paid for your contributions.
You speak of a "minimum number of hours you must work" and that "mentally you are far, far away." If you worked for me, you would be physically far, far away in about as much time as it takes for me to type the word "slacker."
With this mindset, I bet your stops at MTV Networks and Fox News were short ones; it should be clear to anyone why, to date, your career has been discouraging. If you spent as much time figuring out how to actually contrubute something to your company as you do whining about having to actually apply yourself on a Friday afternoon, I bet your career would be a lot more fulfilling.
Holly of NY @ Mar 13, 2009 15:26:41 PM
Andrew G.R. of NY @ Aug 05, 2008 14:20:53 PM
Kevin of VA @ Aug 02, 2008 11:28:34 AM
Andrew G.R. of NY @ Jul 27, 2008 12:47:45 PM
Andrew G.R. of NY @ Jul 24, 2008 22:29:43 PM
Kelly O of AL @ Jul 23, 2008 17:53:30 PM
Dataceptionist @ Jul 22, 2008 21:50:35 PM
Alison Green of DC @ Jul 22, 2008 21:08:51 PM
Kevin Antler of VA @ Jul 22, 2008 12:56:32 PM
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