I think that there is a market for respect. We “trade” units of respect with people like we trade other scarce resources. (If we respected everyone, fully, what we think of as respect would turn into something like a commodity called recognition.)
One of the interesting market-for-respect transactions that irritates me is the “early / late thing”. In many offices in which I have worked there are “late people”. They are late at both ends. They leave between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on a regular basis; some later. Many of these folks also get in at or after 9 a.m. For them 9:30 is “about 9″.
I am an early person. I am typically at my desk by about 7 a.m. frequently before. I usually leave however around 5:30 p.m. Them – 10 hours; me – 10 hours.
Frequently though, I get the sense that people give more respect credits for people “who care enough to stay late” than people who “get in early”. (Assume that there is not a reason to stay like an active problem.) There is no appreciation that the same time is being put in, or the value of actually getting stuff done (which is what I do while some of you are in the shower in the morning.)
I have from time to time, been snarky about suggesting that I would have the coffee made again in the morning but the message does not always get through.
What do you think? is there a difference in respect credits? Should there be?
6 Comments, Comment or Ping
This bugs me a lot. I think that without question… there is a difference in respect credits. Both directions.
Should there be? I say no. I think professional adults know there is a job to do and they get it done… and they know there is (some) value to face time and they show their faces when they need to.
A few thoughts:
– In many cases the longer total coverage may be good for many businesses.
– I think people are more productive when they have the flexibility to choose their schedules (within the realm of what works for the business).
– I tend to wonder if people who are judging others based on (limited) knowledge of that person’s work schedule: 1) have enough productive work to do; and 2) have the best interest of the company in mind.
– I think this issue should be considered by companies in conjunction with increased telecommuting and flexible work schedules.
– It’s up to companies to set the tone for what’s important… do they value results… do they value attendance? We may be on the verge of the next step beyond 10 hours/10 hours. Millennials are willing to work long, but they value time a lot. They may push organizations hard to take a long look at what gets done… and to pay less attention to to the clock.
August 31st, 2008
Sarah thanks for returning to HumanMarkets and for this very thoughtful comment/analysis. Great point about the Millennials – I had only been using the “cranky old man lens”. You broadened my thinking.
August 31st, 2008
WM –
I agree there is a perception/credit issue at times related to the situation you describe. Here’s my take – often the credit given is related to the habits of the person at the top of the office/unit. If they’re a late person, you get the direction you describe. However, I’ve also worked with 7am folks, who, while they might not expect you there at 7am, darn sure expected you there before the 8th bell at 8am – and you felt the pressure to make it happen.
Good post and thoughts – I’m lucky to be working in the most results-only environment I’ve ever been in… which means both sides are more tolerant than normal…
Thanks – Kris
August 31st, 2008
I’ll still go with the cranky old man (COM) lens myself. I do think there’s a respect deficit for people who start early. I’ve been know to be enough of a COM to say, “I get more done before breakfast than most people do all day.” Perhaps it’s because I’m at my most creative and motivated early in the day.
A problem as I’ve experienced over a long life of being an early riser is that latecomers don’t think that anything happened before they arrive. So, when I’ve been at work for 3 hours, they think that was wasted time. I dunno…I do think there’s value in letting people work when they are most productive.
I like your idea about the respect deficit. I think that carries through on lots of fronts. Making me think here…I like that.
September 6th, 2008
Thanks Frank – I think you are right the COM strains are welling up within me strong. It’s 11 am and I have gotten office work done; did some home finance work AND went to a wake in Southwest Philadelphia. I even got to use a classic COM line with a friend – yeah across the street, that’s St. Gab’s – ya know, that’s “where Dave V____’s mom was laid out.”
Three cups of joe in with a few more to go.
September 6th, 2008
That is a classic COM line. I chuckled, then blessed myself.
“Three cups of joe in with a few more to go” should be printed on a t-shirt.
September 9th, 2008
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