Gadget Addiction or Work Intrusion?

Yesterday the NY Times ran a story about the worry in Silicon Valley of addiction to gadgets, and how it might affect stress levels and people's ability to focus. But today an article in the Atlantic takes issue with "gadget addiction," and instead highlights how workplace concerns are intruding more and more on employee's private lives, suggesting that the inability to put down your smartphone is merely a symptom, rather than a disease. "To elide that one of the reasons we spend so many hours in front of our screens is that we have to misses the key point about our relationship with modern technology. The upper middle class (i.e. the NYT reader) is working more hours and having to stay more connected to work than ever before. This is a problem with the way we approach labor, not our devices. Our devices enabled employers to make their employees work 24/7, but it is our strange American political and cultural systems that have allowed them to do so. And worse, when Richtel blames the gadgets themselves, he channels the anxiety and anger that people feel about 24/7 work into a different and defanged fear over their gadgets. The only possible answer becomes, 'Put your gadget down,' not 'Organize politically and in civil society to change our collective relationship to work.'"

Comments

I haven't bought a gadget in weeks

[ackthpt]

And the stress is killing me!

Working more hours

[0123456]

"Our devices enabled employers to make their employees work 24/7, but it is our strange American political and cultural systems that have allowed them to do so."

Or you could just say 'No'. So long as people are willing (if not eager) to be tied to work 24/7, companies will be happy to allow them to be.

Re:Working more hours

[DontLickJesus]

As a personal experience I tried just this, saying no. It lasted all of 2 months. The most difficult part of this is that many tech jobs are setup to NEED such access to the employee (ie: developer/support roles). Not sure if this is everyone's experience, but when I informed people I didn't want to get work email on my phone, I was greeted with both awkward looks and suspicion.

Re:Working more hours

[Urza9814]

Or you could just say 'No'. So long as people are willing (if not eager) to be tied to work 24/7, companies will be happy to allow them to be.

That would be the 'cultural' part of "American political and cultural systems"...

Re:Working more hours

[ackthpt]

"Our devices enabled employers to make their employees work 24/7, but it is our strange American political and cultural systems that have allowed them to do so."

Or you could just say 'No'. So long as people are willing (if not eager) to be tied to work 24/7, companies will be happy to allow them to be.

I remember how I hated carrying a pager on weekends. I felt like I had a leash around my neck, which could be yanked the moment I was engaged in some activity or just relaxing, further, I couldn't go see a movie or play golf, because I could be pulled out in an instant because someone wanted to use something which was down (or not down, but they were such a lazy twit, they'd call and bug me to see if it was up, rather than check themselves.)

Years ago I established the limits I would go to for work and have stuck to them. My time is my time. I only choose to exchange so many hours of the day for wages and such.

Re:Working more hours

[WillAffleckUW]

The most difficult part of this is that many tech jobs are setup to NEED such access to the employee (ie: developer/support roles). Not sure if this is everyone's experience, but when I informed people I didn't want to get work email on my phone, I was greeted with both awkward looks and suspicion.

This is why you plan rollouts.

If they want you to work overtime, they should pay you double.

Re:Working more hours

[Annirak]

Sadly, this is not always possible. In many places, high tech industry has a specific exemption from overtime compensation laws, or provides the employer with the option of mandating time off in lieu.

Re:Working more hours

[cayenne8]

I work my ass off while at work.

When that door hits me on the ass on the way out...I leave work behind, mentally and physically. After all, it is only a job. I work so I can pay the bills and have lots of fun on my free time.

If they want me...they can pay me, I don't work for free....even at W2, I expect to be paid for any hour I work, and over 40 I still want at least straight time. That keeps them from wanting extra work unless necessary.

You have to know your worth....and usually they will respect if you know it and they know it.

But it is a job, and when I'm not at work, I'm not thinking about work, and I don't ever expect work to intrude into my personal time. If work has to contact me, it had better be because the sky is falling and something catastrophic is happening. If it is that bad, well, the clock starts running immediately....and I'll help out, but it had better be important.

God help them if it my vacation time...I often go where there is NO cell phone signal nor computer connection...that is on purpose.

A vacation is time saved up by me, for me...to relax and get away from normal life. I leave back up plans...it is up to them to implement them.

Re:Working more hours

[ackthpt]

Sadly, this is not always possible. In many places, high tech industry has a specific exemption from overtime compensation laws, or provides the employer with the option of mandating time off in lieu.

Yes, we saw that being passed in California. I thought that was some seriously flawed legislation.

Re:Working more hours

[zakkudo]

Going the other way: I believe not owning a cell phone at all creates an extension of this with people. They become venomous if they have no way to personally contact you through a phone and get an immediate response.

Re:Working more hours

[cayenne8]

Sadly, this is not always possible. In many places, high tech industry has a specific exemption from overtime compensation laws, or provides the employer with the option of mandating time off in lieu.

Well, there is a thing known as negotiating the terms of your accepting a job and employment.

First, if you're good...know your worth and ask for what you want. Ask for a bit MORE than you want...and compromise if needed to what you can live with.

I prefer doing 1099 through my own company....much easier to go that route. But when doing W2, I insist that I be paid for every hour I work. I get straight time for all hours worked.

I don't want OT...but will do it if necessary. My time OFF is the most important part to me.

I doubt I'll be on my deathbed, wishing I'd put in a few more hours tuning a database or attending a meeting.

Re:Working more hours

[Talderas]

I've found this is less of a problem with personal contacts than with work contacts.

I do not have a data or texting plan on my phone. I've told my friends this and they do not text my phone. I've told people at work that I do not have a text plan and to not text me. They ignore it. Ergo, I've gone and had texting on my phone blocked by the provider to avoid the texts.

Our what now?

[medcalf]

My relationship to work is individual, not collective. Mind your own business.

Re:An Internet news addiction is far, far worse

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd be interested too. That would really make this Tuesday at work go by faster to have some good reading.

People Really Do That?

[CanHasDIY]

... and by "do that," I mean let their employer take control of their personal lives? WTF is wrong with them?

I'm a corporate whore for 40 hours a week, and not a second more. They want more of my time, they're paying my outrageous consulting rate, just like everybody else.

Re:People Really Do That?

[Crash Culligan]

CanHasDIY: [People Really Do That?] ... and by "do that," I mean let their employer take control of their personal lives? WTF is wrong with them?

That's the "cultural thing" that they were talking about. Somewhere in the past thirty years or so, along with the stagnation of wages, the collapse of the "middle class," the inexorable creep forward of prices for things like food, housing, and health care, and the antiquation of the notion that workers have rights, it became a buyer's labor market. Most people fear that if they don't toe the line and do what their bosses tell them to, it'd be far too easy to dismiss them (i.e. fire their worthless slacker asses) and hire someone with a more respectful, helpful attitude (i.e. sycophant).

And in an era where most people live from paycheck to paycheck and either lack the gumption (or worse, the salary) to save up for emergencies, that fear is a sensible one.

What does it mean to be willing?

[garyisabusyguy]

I am 'willing' to not get downsized in the next set of sweeps
I am 'willing' to keep my income from stagnating
I am 'willing' to not seem less competitive than other workers

of course you could replace 'willing' with 'scared shitless', 'being strong-armed' or 'having a gun held to my head' and it would describe the situation all the same

What is truly shocking is the long-term loss of effectiveness of unions and/or their complete lack of influence in hi-tech 'salary' jobs. Sure, you can poo poo Unions, their largess in the '70s even their (apparently) corrupt leadership, but it is high time that Americans came to realize the positive benefits of Union membership and the need to maintain leverage against corporate leadership that seems willing to work us to death and feed our remains back to the rest of the workers (for the sake of shareholder value dammit)

Yeah, I'm willing, yeah I'm tired, yeah it gives me a sad chuckle to read about the rosy projections from the 1950's about 20 hour workweeks and the benefits of automation

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[Sarten-X]

As a very anti-union person, I agree. Let's see the unions actually improve conditions for their workers, and I'll happily sign on. Let's see pressure for 4-day work weeks, now that automation can maintain production. Let's see minimum wage increases to something above 1960s levels. Let's see a reasonable way for union members to express their concern for current jobs, without their votes being overrun by more senior retirees worried mostly about their pension guarantees. Let's see open membership for anyone with a stake in the working conditions of an industry, rather than just those with a certain amount of experience (which must be earned in non-union shops). Let's see something more than pointless political maneuvers to "maintain leverage" and actually do something with that leverage.

As I said, let's see that, and I'll happily sign on.

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[Hatta]

I am 'willing' to not get downsized in the next set of sweeps
I am 'willing' to keep my income from stagnating
I am 'willing' to not seem less competitive than other workers

of course you could replace 'willing' with 'scared shitless', 'being strong-armed' or 'having a gun held to my head' and it would describe the situation all the same

This is what libertarians mean by "voluntary". They fail to understand that economic power can be just as coercive as the threat of violence.

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[pla]

I am 'willing' to not get downsized in the next set of sweeps

Lay me off, bossman - About the only way I'll ever get more than two weeks of vacation in a row (and layoffs make it paid vacation as a perk!), in this sick worker/slave mentality we have in the US.


I am 'willing' to keep my income from stagnating

I am "willing" to work for a company as long as they keep me happy. I value "happy" over income, but the ability to afford toys helps keep me happy.


I am 'willing' to not seem less competitive than other workers

I don't even bother entering the race, never mind trying to beat the other rats at it. I don't try to stab my coworkers in the back, and they frequently come to me for help when they need it. And so far, looking composed and correct, rather than competitive, has worked pretty damned well for me.

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[networkBoy]

Loyalty to a company is misplaced loyalty. Loyalty to an individual manager can be exceptionally well repaid.
This is an important distinction, one I only fully learned about 5 years ago.
-nB

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[assertation]

It doesn't work that way. People with your attitudes have to stop voting GOP ( like for Gov Scott Walking in Wisconsin )and anti-union first and fight for what you want next.

Re:What does it mean to be willing?

[ukemike]

As a very anti-union person, I agree. Let's see the unions actually improve conditions for their workers, and I'll happily sign on. Let's see pressure for 4-day work weeks, now that automation can maintain production. Let's see minimum wage increases to something above 1960s levels. Let's see a reasonable way for union members to express their concern for current jobs, without their votes being overrun by more senior retirees worried mostly about their pension guarantees. Let's see open membership for anyone with a stake in the working conditions of an industry, rather than just those with a certain amount of experience (which must be earned in non-union shops). Let's see something more than pointless political maneuvers to "maintain leverage" and actually do something with that leverage.

Of course you are describing the history of the American labor movement up through the mid 1970s, when the push back became really organized and put Reagan in the Whitehouse. We can thank unions for: the weekend and 40 hour work week, labor regulations, OSHA, sick leave, the raised standard of living in the Post War period, and nearly every other bit of improvement for workers since the 1880s. You can't be anti-union and expect the unions to be effective for you. That's the whole point, through organization workers become strong enough to negotiate the terms of employment. Alone each person is insignificant to big corporations.

I hear lots of people here saying, "well if you're good you won't put up with this sort of abuse." That doesn't work when there is someone as good or nearly as good willing to work for less begging for your job.

From Solidarity Forever
Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

This is why I don't have a cell phone

[WillAffleckUW]

I used to have a cell phone, when my son was in daycare and then K-8.

But since then I just don't do it.

I do have an iPad2, but it's wireless. So that people can't bug me, unless I want them to.

I will probably get the iPhone5, but probably won't answer any work calls or texts. And will turn it off when I'm doing something.

Someone will do it

[Kupfernigk]

So long as there are no rules imposed from above, companies will recruit people who will tolerate being abused. Look at the people who worked for Bob Diamond at Barclays; making a big bonus was more important than having a decent life. If you just say "No", these are the people you are competing with.

So yes, it is the strange American political and cultural systems that persuade people that they are free where everywhere they are in chains. The USA has, since WW2, steadily become less egalitarian and more like Imperial Rome, with a small corrupt political class (= the Senators) in hock to a larger rich banking and commercial class (= the Knights) and a large population with only the semblance of political power. It's because the greed of the rich ultimately exceeds prudence; they don't know when to stop because, as Talib points out, they only compare themselves to their neighbours. It is easily possible to be happy on $60 000 a year and miserable on $600 000.

Gadgets are not the problem; they may partly be a symptom because time-poor people do not have the time to develop outside interests and so focus attention on shiny things that they can get instantly.

Well. . .

[Anonymous Coward]

I work too damn hard on the projects I manage to let any harm come to them in the time I am off work. If my email dings, I check it because it could be useful information to ensuring the success of those projects. And if I can do something quickly from home that will save me a headache in the morning it is worth it. I also don't want to walk into a business place surprised by whatever is going to hit me when I walk in.

I'm salaried, and paid to get projects done. They get done and done well. I also find plenty of leisure time, and on more than one occasion have left work early or come in late for whatever personal reason demanded it. It's never been a problem - as long as the projects are completed on time and on budget.

Re:Working more hours or Heaven's Gate (the DB)

[WillAffleckUW]

I doubt I'll be on my deathbed, wishing I'd put in a few more hours tuning a database or attending a meeting.

Don't come for me yet, Lord, I just need to rebuild these indexes to match the fetch queue!

What about personal time at work?

[djchristensen]

The converse of "work" intruding on "personal time" via our gadgets is "life" intruding on "work time" via those same gadgets. How many people check their facebook accounts, read slashdot, respond to emails/IMs/texts from friends/family, etc while at work? So we might as a general rule not really be working many, if any, more hours, we're just blurring the transition between work and non-work. Whether this is welcomed as flexibility or despised for allowing employers to take advantage is really up to individual perspective.

Re:What benefits of Automation?

[Platinumrat]

I'm in the Automation business. Transportation - safety critical engineering. I don't see the benefits of automation.

Welcome to the new slave labour

I'm about ready to chuck it in where I work. For over 20 years the only OT I ever did was when I was On Site, doing an installation. I've carried a company phone for most of that time, but never ever answered it on my time. Then bang, restructure, new managers and a third of the engineers retrenched. I put my hand up, but was told I'm too valuable. Funny, it's not reflected in my pay.

This year, I've only been home 6 weekends and when I do get home I have to answer Customer callouts. The argument is that we don't have anyone else to do the support. I'm a system design engineer, not a support engineer. Wife's pissed and so am I.

They say that because of my grade, it's expected that I should work an extra 20 hours unpaid OT per week. The argument is that we're professionals. WTF. I though my grade reflected my experience, not how much free time they could wring out of me. I don't see Lawyers of consulting professionals do free time (except pro-bono).

Now they're promoting "Yes Men" Engineering Managers, who aren't even qualified Engineer or Scientists. And why? because they have the right attitude...

What they don't see is that all the experienced staff are leaving in droves to go work for consultancies. Looks like I'm next on that exodus.