http://instantlyresponsive.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/must-we-be-responsive-over-the-weekend/ a blog about the impact and consequences of Enterprise 2.0 and beyond Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:58:56 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://instantlyresponsive.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/must-we-be-responsive-over-the-weekend/#comment-6 Brittain Tue, 15 Jan 2008 16:08:07 +0000 http://instantlyresponsive.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/must-we-be-responsive-over-the-weekend/#comment-6 Keri, Brave question, thanks for asking.  For me there are three parts to my answer:First, boundaries.  In all facets of life we need them; work / life balance is such a facet.  Each individual should understand their personal boundaries for responsiveness and stick to them.  For me, my job (leading a software organization) is naturally 365x7x24 so I'm ok with being needed and responsive at wierd hours.  Second, fairness.  Without equitable treatment, nobody's happy. Does your compensation justify the weekend work?  Is your employer getting extra labor without paying?  In my case, the balancing tradeoff for a 365x7x24 job is flextime.  Busy peaks are matched with extra downtime.  On the final ledger everyone wins - I work when my company needs me and I have sufficient downtime to feel fairly treated.Third, process improvement.  Why does somebody need you on the weekend?  There's no such thing as an "unexpected weekend", so how should we improve our planning and scheduling so work gets done during regular work time?   This conversation continues at <a href="http://www.bsgalliance.com/convs/show/2332" rel="nofollow">BSG Alliance</a>   Brittain <a href="http://www.bsgalliance.com/account/profile/11" rel="nofollow">View My Profile</a> Managing Director, Applications Team BSG Alliance Keri,
Brave question, thanks for asking.  For me there are three parts to my answer:First, boundaries.  In all facets of life we need them; work / life balance is such a facet.  Each individual should understand their personal boundaries for responsiveness and stick to them.  For me, my job (leading a software organization) is naturally 365×7x24 so I’m ok with being needed and responsive at wierd hours.  Second, fairness.  Without equitable treatment, nobody’s happy. Does your compensation justify the weekend work?  Is your employer getting extra labor without paying?  In my case, the balancing tradeoff for a 365×7x24 job is flextime.  Busy peaks are matched with extra downtime.  On the final ledger everyone wins - I work when my company needs me and I have sufficient downtime to feel fairly treated.Third, process improvement.  Why does somebody need you on the weekend?  There’s no such thing as an "unexpected weekend", so how should we improve our planning and scheduling so work gets done during regular work time?
 
This conversation continues at BSG Alliance
 
Brittain
View My Profile
Managing Director, Applications Team
BSG Alliance

]]> http://instantlyresponsive.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/must-we-be-responsive-over-the-weekend/#comment-5 steinthal Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:11:11 +0000 http://instantlyresponsive.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/must-we-be-responsive-over-the-weekend/#comment-5 Nah... We all need our personal time. Our increased connectedness should not intrude on personal time. With that said, I find it easier to work and see that I'm working at times when maybe I should be more focused on personal time. I did not answer any e-mails during my son's basketball game, and did not bring my blackberry to my squash matches or on our day ski trip this weekend. That is a good thing. Responses can wait. Nah… We all need our personal time. Our increased connectedness should not intrude on personal time. With that said, I find it easier to work and see that I’m working at times when maybe I should be more focused on personal time. I did not answer any e-mails during my son’s basketball game, and did not bring my blackberry to my squash matches or on our day ski trip this weekend. That is a good thing. Responses can wait.

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