TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:RE: Working later than the boss From:"Sharon Burton" <sharon -at- anthrobytes -dot- com> To:<techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 3 Jul 2007 20:44:03 -0700
I'm a manager of a medium sized group of writers. If you only look at the
hours I'm in the office and decide that's the hours I work, you're very
wrong. I'm in the office typically from 9a to 4:30p - no lunches. When I'm
onsite, I'm usually in a meeting or about to go to a meeting. We're a
meeting sort of company.
But, and it's a big but, my day starts at 5am when I start emailing and
doing other things at my home office. I work on the 1.5 hour train ride in
and the 1.5 hour ride home, typically with phone calls in the morning but my
laptop both ways. I usually end my day in my home reviewing any thing I
didn't get done and seeing what my international writers are doing by about
8pm. Not counting the time I spend in the shower or having dinner with my
husband, my typical work day is 12/13 hours long, 5 days a week. And I
teach part time because I'm just crazy, really.
The point is: Your boss may be working something similar. You count the
hours you are in the office as working. Her day may start and end very
differently than yours.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+sharon=anthrobytes -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+sharon=anthrobytes -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On
Behalf Of TECHWR-L Administrator
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 3:56 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: FWD: Working later than the boss
Forwarded anonymously on request. Please respond on list--
no responses will be privately forwarded. TECHWR-L Admin
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
To all,
With approval from a department manager, my company offers
flex-time. I generally work from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (1/2 hour
for lunch). I get to work promptly at 8:00 am, if not earlier,
every day. She is late 95% of the time. I am rarely able to
leave at 4:30 pm (due to workload, meetings, etc) but when I
can, I happily do. My boss has the same hours but she NEVER stays
after 4:30 pm, no matter what is going on. We both prefer to leave
earlier because we have children the same age who need to be picked
up from child care, etc. We also have about the same commuting time
(approx 45-50 minutes).
She's hinted lately that she'd like to have one of the "senior"
people stay until 5:30 pm, which is technically when the business day
ends here.( Important note: I am her backup when she is out but I
still don't have the senior title yet.) Since I generally stay later
than 4:30 pm it hasn't been much of an issue, but she wants someone to
be here until business hours are over. I don't feel I should be the one
who has to make the change. More importantly, I don't feel I should
have to. She's the manager, not me. If anyone is going to stay late,
shouldn't it be the her?
I've always believed that a good manager manages by setting a good
example She comes in late and leaves at the same time and doesn't
seem to fret about it. When I come in a few minutes late, I fret and
stay a little later to make up for it. To me, this is what conscientious
employees with a high work ethic do. Why should any of the department
employees have to hold down the fort for her? On an occasional basis
that's fine, but not everyday. That doesn't seem fair.
Without flaming, what do you all think about this?
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
