Tech Savvy or Juvenile ?
Recently I read an article that said:
More than half of the college students surveyed indicated that if an employer banned access to networks like Facebook at work, "they would either not accept a job offer from them or would join and find a way to circumvent."
...
One in four college students, according to the report, said issues like these--while likely baffling to older generations--would represent key factors in their decision to accept a job offer.
(!!!)
The full article can be found here .
Well, I do admit that I would be very surprised if I didn't receive at least some kind of a laptop or a blackberry at work, mainly because these are essential tools required for me to operate effectively in my profession. Having recently joined a firm that doesn't allow access to Yahoo/ Gmail/ Hotmail and social networking sites from the office, I noticed within the first week I had built up a massive backlog of unopened/ unattended personal emails (including banks, bills, theater alerts etc). I was amazed to realise how much productive office time we increasingly use to sort out our personal life.
On the other hand, as a friend from a smaller town in the Midlands (UK) pointed out, in many big cities like London where people spend more hours at work and on public transport or driving, the office becomes an extension of their home. Arguably then, checking personal emails is 'downtime' just like making tea or coffee but without helping the RSI in your arm/ fingers/neck in any way!
I also agree that flexi-time has plenty of advantages over punching in at 9 AM and out at 5 PM,something that doesn't quite work in a consultancy or a creative environment. But there are plenty of jobs where it is essential to follow a time schedule and/or a rota (police officers, fire fighters, train drivers, nurses, teachers, waiters,......) at least till the time robots take over.
But taking a wage-cut to join a firm that allows access to social networking? Now that is mind-boggling indeed. The potential employee is willing to risk professional growth (of which salary is often the starting point) but more surprisingly the employer itself is unaware of the productivity risks of offering a service which, it is obvious, will be very well-used in their office!
It is clear I'm part of the 'baffled older generation' already.
More than half of the college students surveyed indicated that if an employer banned access to networks like Facebook at work, "they would either not accept a job offer from them or would join and find a way to circumvent."
...
One in four college students, according to the report, said issues like these--while likely baffling to older generations--would represent key factors in their decision to accept a job offer.
(!!!)
The full article can be found here .
Well, I do admit that I would be very surprised if I didn't receive at least some kind of a laptop or a blackberry at work, mainly because these are essential tools required for me to operate effectively in my profession. Having recently joined a firm that doesn't allow access to Yahoo/ Gmail/ Hotmail and social networking sites from the office, I noticed within the first week I had built up a massive backlog of unopened/ unattended personal emails (including banks, bills, theater alerts etc). I was amazed to realise how much productive office time we increasingly use to sort out our personal life.
On the other hand, as a friend from a smaller town in the Midlands (UK) pointed out, in many big cities like London where people spend more hours at work and on public transport or driving, the office becomes an extension of their home. Arguably then, checking personal emails is 'downtime' just like making tea or coffee but without helping the RSI in your arm/ fingers/neck in any way!
I also agree that flexi-time has plenty of advantages over punching in at 9 AM and out at 5 PM,something that doesn't quite work in a consultancy or a creative environment. But there are plenty of jobs where it is essential to follow a time schedule and/or a rota (police officers, fire fighters, train drivers, nurses, teachers, waiters,......) at least till the time robots take over.
But taking a wage-cut to join a firm that allows access to social networking? Now that is mind-boggling indeed. The potential employee is willing to risk professional growth (of which salary is often the starting point) but more surprisingly the employer itself is unaware of the productivity risks of offering a service which, it is obvious, will be very well-used in their office!
It is clear I'm part of the 'baffled older generation' already.
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