Re: Face time at the office (WAS: The Telecommuting myth continue s)

[Donald Le Vie <dlevie -at- VLINE -dot- NET>]

In a previous incarnation, I was information development project leader for
a major digital communications/microprocessor mfg. co. here in Austin. For
the last 2 years of my tenure there, I worked 60 hours a week just to stay 3
weeks behind posted schedules. I saw my ID team slowly erode as people left
for greener pastures because, primarily, of the little respect for and
attention to the value-add the team provided to microprocessor documentation
(in all forms and formats). My team of 7 was whittled down to 2...myself and
one other person, who transferred over from technical marketing because she
"wanted to do something different." My manager (an engineer with the title
"Marketing and Technical Communications Manager") thought that, heck,
anybody can write documentation and Donn needs help... Short version:
instead of filling the replacement requisitions with technical writers, the
company replaced the TW reqs with reqs for applications engineers who were
going to be developing the documentation. Shortly thereafter, the company
announced upcoming layoffs...I volunteered to be laid off and the day I got
my walking papers was the day I received a special corporate achievement
award (one of 10 awarded globally)...way too little way too late.

Donn Le Vie
Integrated Concepts

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melonie Holliman [SMTP:melonie -dot- holliman -at- TXEXMTA4 -dot- AMD -dot- COM]
> Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 9:11 AM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      Re: Face time at the office (WAS: The Telecommuting myth
> continue s)
>
> Howdy,
>
> First let me say that there are some people who get their
> jollies out of working. This post is not for you. If you enjoy
> working long hours, the more power to you. If you get
> irritated that you are expected to work long hours every
> week, then read on.
>
> This is one of my pet peeves. I worked 60-80 hours a week
> when I first got out of college and thought work would fill that
> inner need. Hooey! To me, work is just about one of the
> shallowest ways to find fulfillment. It is wonderful to have a
> passion for my job, to care about what I do, but I like having
> a real life as well. I do get warm fuzzies from a job well done.
> I like having a job I care about. However, my work is my living,
> it is not my life.
>
> There was a saying I heard awhile back: "On your death bed,
> would you wish you spent more time with the company
> comptroller?" Let's change it to: "On your death bed, will you
> wish you spent more time writing that manual?"
>
> Every place I have ever worked which required long hours was
> a sweat shop with very little respect for employees or their lives.
> They used people up and tossed them aside regularly. And my
> work STANK. Today, I make it clear in every interview that I
> will work overtime when we are in a crunch or if it is needed; but
> I will not make it a habit. I have a real life. I have also found that
> I can do the same amount of work in 40 hours that I used to do
> in 60 because I waste less time when I give myself less time.
>
> Every time I have been turned down for a job because I would
> not work regular overtime, I have found out later on that the work
> place was horrid. I keep finding good jobs where I am appreciated
> and paid well even though I don't work extra hours.
>
> If you like the long hours, go for it. If you don't, there are better
> jobs out there which pay the same without abusing your time.
>
> Melonie R. Holliman
> Technical Writer
> CPD Marketing
> Advanced Micro Devices
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Shari Scott [SMTP:SScott -at- COMPLEXIMAGING -dot- COM]
> > Sent: Friday, July 09, 1999 7:59 AM
> > To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> > Subject:      Face time at the office (WAS: The Telecommuting myth
> > continues)
> >
> >
> >                 I get the same look. I get to work about 7:00 each
> morning
> > and try to leave about 4 pm while a lot of other people (including my
> > boss-the president of the company) don't get into the office until 9:30.
> > While I am the first one to stay late if there is something that I need
> to
> > get done, I will not stay just for "face time". I consistently meet my
> > deadlines. I do good work. I can usually get my job done in 40 hours.
> >
> >                 I have had to put my foot down several times. I estimate
> > my
> > projects but my deadlines are always blown to hell. Again my boss, who
> > does
> > my tech reviews, is also the president of the company. My reviews rate
> > pretty far down the priority list. I just had to tell him that I have
> been
> > waiting to get my review back for a month and do not come to me the
> > afternoon before you want to burn the CD and expect me to have the
> manual
> > done. Unfortunately, this has happened many times, hence the harsh tone.
> >
> >                 I learned a couple of years ago the value of having a
> > personal life. A new director of operations was meeting his new team and
> > asked what we did outside of work. I didn't have one thing I could say I
> > did. Not one! That's when I realized that I needed a personal life.
> >
> >                 Shari
> >
>
>
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>


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