France's new "Disconnect Law"
New laws make it ok to ignore after hours e-mails, texts and phone calls. 35 hr work weeks and 6 week vacation.
Many people don't like after hours pestering, and prefer to disconnect. In the US it seems like a tentative approach to after hours work, depending on one's role and the company. I am pleased to remain connected for non-trivial communications, and more pleased to be able to fill otherwise wasted time (in lines, doctor's offices, commercials...) staying abreast of work, that otherwise will consume more valuable time.
I believe we need even more tools to better communication and engage a broader group of people's at work. Millennials just aren't 8-5 people, and they will make up ~70% of the workforce in a few years. In addition, communications and engagement are an area real efficiency gains are possible. Video conferences are a huge timesaver. What could be next?
I am on a board of directors with a few French executives. Can't wait to discuss this with them in the call I have today at 1pm eastern, 7pm France. I suspect these guys will view it dimly, but proudly at the same time.
Many people don't like after hours pestering, and prefer to disconnect. In the US it seems like a tentative approach to after hours work, depending on one's role and the company. I am pleased to remain connected for non-trivial communications, and more pleased to be able to fill otherwise wasted time (in lines, doctor's offices, commercials...) staying abreast of work, that otherwise will consume more valuable time.
I believe we need even more tools to better communication and engage a broader group of people's at work. Millennials just aren't 8-5 people, and they will make up ~70% of the workforce in a few years. In addition, communications and engagement are an area real efficiency gains are possible. Video conferences are a huge timesaver. What could be next?
I am on a board of directors with a few French executives. Can't wait to discuss this with them in the call I have today at 1pm eastern, 7pm France. I suspect these guys will view it dimly, but proudly at the same time.
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I agree with you. It is nice to experience the differences, but nicer still to get home.
I left my first real job to consult. It was an hourly rate though. It was great and I could've done that a long time. I got lonely sitting at home writing specifications and doing analyses 75% of the time. That said I also traveled all over the world and was introduced to many foreign companies and cultures.
Now I'm back in the office, but the work is interesting.
I admire how some Europeans are able to focus completely one work for about 7 hours, intense focus, and then just turn it off. There's something to be said of that, just as there's something good about their tiny portion sizes. When I'm there I feel weird carrying a big 22 oz metallic mug of weak coffee and eating a burrito while walking. I see them going to work, walking on walk paths or bike paths, completely focused on what they're doing at the moment.
I admire it, but the first thing I do when I get back is fill my mug with $0.99 American coffee from the gas station by the airport and listen to audio while I drive my car. I sure as hell don't want the gov't mandating which approach to take.
The last time I had an hourly wage was 1974 as a busboy. I have never had a paid vacation. I earn commissions, I find my own customers. If I earn money for my employer I get a cut. I provide my own office and infrastructure. I meet or communicate with my clients on their terms and time schedule. My reality is what I make it.
But thanks to regulations it is almost impossible to grow my client base.
With that said my wife and I have been
" facetiming " with our daughter and granddaughter and just love to see them even though they are 700 miles away it is much better that a phone call or email.
0 + 1 = 1 Me dino sees nothing wrong with this factual post.
Two Squeaks inspections down with two more sighted zeroes to go.