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Thread: Slackers get technological

  1. #1
    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Slackers get technological

    In this modern age, it seems we have more and more advanced ways of looking like we're working, when we are in fact not. From Reuters:
    Simple tricks allow one to appear to be hard at work in the office while actually forwarding calls, e-mails and instant messages to your mobile phone. One can backdate e-mails through rolling back a computer's built-in clock or use background phone noises to concoct convincing excuses not to go to work.

    "Instead of being a slave to technology, you can master it, you can make it look like you are working when and where you are not," said Marc Saltzman, 35, the author of "White Collar Slacker's Handbook" published in June.
    I've always been a fan of alt-tab and the 'boss key', but it seems to me as though the effort required to look like your working is more than the effort required to actually do the work. That can't be good! What do you think? Let us know.
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    ATI Technologies exAndrzej's Avatar
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    The idea of 'looking like you are at work' is a very sad one

    'Going to work' surely, is all wrong ?

    There is work to be done

    You need to do it

    Why are you going to the work ?

    I know that some 'jobs' in life require 'hands on' like buses, candy floss and women...

    ...but 'office' work is generally not one of them

    The best way to think about this is to imagine working for a major organisation - in a large building - across 5 floors

    The guys on the 5th floor probably never come to the first floor

    So they communicate with email, phones, web sites and - occassionally - a (news/snooze) letter

    Now imagine that - instead of just a few floors separating these co-workers - you have half a city

    Any difference ?

    None whatsoever

    In fact, as a UK-based employee of a firm where the 'mothership' is positioned in Toronto...

    ...the only thing I miss is the watercooler gossip and after-work-sessions in the bar with colleagues (the best bits )
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    daft ideas inc. scottyman's Avatar
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    ^^ now that was surreal -
    I worked at Mirror Group for 6 years, and know exactly what you're getting at.
    As I'm in the hunt forwork now I'm missing actually doing the mundane bits that make up most of your working day.
    There should be a certain amount of leeway involved - if you're in a job where you're not allowed to browse heXus, el reg and the like - and answer your personal e-mail - then there's something seriously wrong with the company you're working for.

    I think provided you're not taking the proverbial, it shouldn't be an issue - the white collar slackers guide seems to be targeted at those evil organisations which don't accept that keeping in touch with the outside world allows you to be a better worker and enhance shareholder value.

    Think about 9/11 - the company across the hall from us had no knowledge that it had occurred until I saw one of them leaving the office - simply because of their policy of "no non-business matters to be discussed in the office" - so no personal phone calls, no bbc or sky news, no personal e-mail. that'd drive me bonkers!

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    No more Mr Nice Guy. Nick's Avatar
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    I sometimes 'work' for HEXUS and it's just as Andrzej says, we all work all over the country and meet up every now and then...

    I don't miss the watercooler chats though, they're usually about either mine or Rys' sexuality... something PD has a worrying fascination with..
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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nick
    I sometimes 'work' for HEXUS and it's just as Andrzej says, we all work all over the country and meet up every now and then...
    The days we meet up are usually very scarey. I'm glad I live in the back of beyond (Hull) and nobody ever decides to host anything interesting here (can you imagine a big trade show in Hull? haha!)

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    ATI Technologies exAndrzej's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nick
    ...PD has a worrying fascination with...
    Just never tell him you wuz a boy scout
    .
    "X800GT... snap it up while you still can"
    HEXUS
    ......................................August 2005

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