Comments on: Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun?

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:18:19 +0000

I think the big divide is the difference between mere presence and productivity. If your employer pays you for results – more and bigger customer accounts, advertising innovations, new computer code – there’s a strong and viable argument against dictating the terms under which you accomplish those results. Look at Netflix’ employment policies for a great example.

On the other hand, if mere presence is your purpose (answering telephones, performing repetitive administrative tasks, manning the widget machine, treating patients), there’s a much stronger argument for dictating when and where you man your post.

Smart employers know the difference. But regardless of your calling or occupation, time spent away on vacation is necessary for you, and it is profitable for your employer. Getting out makes you infinitely better when you’re at work.

By: Alicia Arenas

Alicia Arenas — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:05:21 +0000

RT @MikeVanDervort: Are we working the wrong way? Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun? http://ow.ly/15p6A

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:13:45 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by DebExo: RT@MikeVanDervort:on HRH:wld yr company miss U if U took 6 weeks off 4 fun? http://tinyurl.com/yh9ca8x #work #addnewtag Yes 2 rethinking…

By: Michael VanDervort

Michael VanDervort — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:43:04 +0000

@Maha – I think you nailed the real reason we are all that way. There is a bigger imperative of normative behavior at work as well that keeps us in line. Companies can’t just have people running off for weeks and months at a time. They would collapse. (maybe)

It would be interesting to find out what impact a totally different paradigm would actually create.

By: Matt Stiles

Matt Stiles — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:24:50 +0000

RT @MikeVanDervort Are we working the wrong way? Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun? http://ow.ly/15p6A

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:32:25 +0000

RT @MikeVanDervort: Are we working the wrong way? Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun? http://ow.ly/15p6A

By: MikeVanDervort

MikeVanDervort — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:30:21 +0000

Are we working the wrong way? Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun? http://ow.ly/15p6A

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:31:39 +0000

RT@MikeVanDervort:on HRH:wld yr company miss U if U took 6 weeks off 4 fun? http://tinyurl.com/yh9ca8x #work #addnewtag Yes 2 rethinking

By: Maha Akiki

Maha Akiki — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:55:51 +0000

Isn’t it a bit arrogant of us to think that things might fall of the wayside if we take more than a couple of days off of work?

I truly believe that a good manager knows what to delegate, and to whom, so that when they are away things will still run smoothly. The same should hold true with all employees. As a contractor, I always want to make sure that, if I leave today, whoever will take over the next day, will be able to know exactly where things stand.

Is it the fear that we may be easily replaceable that makes some of us want to be the only “expert” on some subjects for our employer?

By: Michael VanDervort

Michael VanDervort — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:08:08 +0000

on HRH: Would your company miss you if you took 6 weeks off for fun? http://goo.gl/fb/VTTC #work #addnewtag