France's new "Disconnect Law"
New laws make it ok to ignore after hours e-mails, texts and phone calls. 35 hr work weeks and 6 week vacation.
Many people don't like after hours pestering, and prefer to disconnect. In the US it seems like a tentative approach to after hours work, depending on one's role and the company. I am pleased to remain connected for non-trivial communications, and more pleased to be able to fill otherwise wasted time (in lines, doctor's offices, commercials...) staying abreast of work, that otherwise will consume more valuable time.
I believe we need even more tools to better communication and engage a broader group of people's at work. Millennials just aren't 8-5 people, and they will make up ~70% of the workforce in a few years. In addition, communications and engagement are an area real efficiency gains are possible. Video conferences are a huge timesaver. What could be next?
I am on a board of directors with a few French executives. Can't wait to discuss this with them in the call I have today at 1pm eastern, 7pm France. I suspect these guys will view it dimly, but proudly at the same time.
Many people don't like after hours pestering, and prefer to disconnect. In the US it seems like a tentative approach to after hours work, depending on one's role and the company. I am pleased to remain connected for non-trivial communications, and more pleased to be able to fill otherwise wasted time (in lines, doctor's offices, commercials...) staying abreast of work, that otherwise will consume more valuable time.
I believe we need even more tools to better communication and engage a broader group of people's at work. Millennials just aren't 8-5 people, and they will make up ~70% of the workforce in a few years. In addition, communications and engagement are an area real efficiency gains are possible. Video conferences are a huge timesaver. What could be next?
I am on a board of directors with a few French executives. Can't wait to discuss this with them in the call I have today at 1pm eastern, 7pm France. I suspect these guys will view it dimly, but proudly at the same time.
0 + 1 = 1 Me dino sees nothing wrong with this factual post.
Two Squeaks inspections down with two more sighted zeroes to go.
But if I NEED to contact an employee I do NOT recognize their 'right' to be disconnected.
Sure they can ignore my texts calls, emails, etc after hours, but since I do not make a habit out of doing it, when I do, I deem it IMPORTANT, and failing to respond to an emergency WILL have consequences for the employee.
I typically apologize profusely if the reason for my call was in my control. If it is an uncontrollable market force, then we are in it together.
This was played at our Corporate Offsite last year, by the legal/ethics guy. It was for humor, but there is always truth in humor. Millenials will be a huge part of our workforce in a few years, and we need to be ready to excite, retain and inspire them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz0o9...
The last time I had an hourly wage was 1974 as a busboy. I have never had a paid vacation. I earn commissions, I find my own customers. If I earn money for my employer I get a cut. I provide my own office and infrastructure. I meet or communicate with my clients on their terms and time schedule. My reality is what I make it.
But thanks to regulations it is almost impossible to grow my client base.
With that said my wife and I have been
" facetiming " with our daughter and granddaughter and just love to see them even though they are 700 miles away it is much better that a phone call or email.
I left my first real job to consult. It was an hourly rate though. It was great and I could've done that a long time. I got lonely sitting at home writing specifications and doing analyses 75% of the time. That said I also traveled all over the world and was introduced to many foreign companies and cultures.
Now I'm back in the office, but the work is interesting.
Where I work at my main job, I have a company phone. I am labor, not management. Select managers and coworkers have my personal phone. I always have my personal phone during work hours, so it is my primary contact for those who have it. I am always available in this way for those who need, and I have the buffer of those who are paid to be on all the time to filter out what is needed for a 3am phone call.
I still accept the phone calls even when on vacation because without my action, my job would often be harder, or my customers would have a poor experience.
I will also be interested to see the lawsuits that come from someone texting about a work problem and getting into an accident. Who's liable - the individual or the company because the person was conducting company business?
While I agree work life balance is important, everyone is different in the ratio. In addition, some people prefer real time off. Other (like me) prefer flexibility to go in late some days, work late others, work weekends sometimes and take Monday's off, all while killing wasted time on e-mails.
https://www.cnet.com/news/parents-sue...
If you think there is merit to this case against Apple, you are in the wrong place.
I have had my fill of business-involved removal of personal liability - for anything! There really should be no such thing as Sovereign Immunity. Any felony or tort committed by any individual of any rank must be treated as the responsibility of that individual. Any business entity that attempts to shield that individual should be subject to liquidation, including any instance of government guilty of that action.
I admire how some Europeans are able to focus completely one work for about 7 hours, intense focus, and then just turn it off. There's something to be said of that, just as there's something good about their tiny portion sizes. When I'm there I feel weird carrying a big 22 oz metallic mug of weak coffee and eating a burrito while walking. I see them going to work, walking on walk paths or bike paths, completely focused on what they're doing at the moment.
I admire it, but the first thing I do when I get back is fill my mug with $0.99 American coffee from the gas station by the airport and listen to audio while I drive my car. I sure as hell don't want the gov't mandating which approach to take.
I agree with you. It is nice to experience the differences, but nicer still to get home.
This problem exists in large organizations in the US, but when I see it here people are uncomfortable with it. If they say, "no one wants to take any risks around here," it's obviously a criticism, whereas in Europe that could be a neutral statement of fact.