Do you think it is a vritue to work over time in office?

Chairman and Mentor of Infosys - Photo of Murthy I received through e-mail
India
April 26, 2008 4:48am CST
I certainly don't! I think it spoils the work culture, and if you have a family, it is unfair on them. Today, I received a forward from Mangalore Friends that almost confirmed my views. It was a letter written by Narayan Murthy to his Infosys staff. I have also attached the photograph of Narayan Murthy that came with this email. So, here is what Mr. Murthy says: "It's half past 8 in the office but the lights are still on... PCs still running, coffee machines still buzzing... And who's at work? Most of them??? Take a closer look... All or most specimens are?? Something male species of the human race... Look closer... again all or most of them are bachelors... And why are they sitting late? Working hard? No way!!! Any guesses??? Let's ask one of them... Here's what he says... "What's there 2 do after going home...Here we get to surf, AC, phone, food, coffee that is why I am working late...Importantly no bossssssss!!!!!!!!!!!"This is the scene in most research centers and software companies and other off-shore offices. Bachelors "Time-passing" during late hours in the office just bcoz they say they've nothing else to do... Now what r the consequences. .."Working" (for the record only) late hours soon becomes part of the institute or company culture. With bosses more than eager to provide support to those "working" late in the form of taxi vouchers, food vouchers and of course good feedback, (oh, he's a hard worker... goes home only to change..!!). They aren't helping things too... To hell with bosses who don't understand the difference between "sitting" late and "working" late!!!Very soon, the boss start expecting all employees to put in extra working hours. So, My dear Bachelors let me tell you, life changes when u get married and start having a family... office is no longer a priority, family is... and That's when the problem starts... b'coz u start having commitments at home too. For your boss, the earlier "hardworking" guy suddenly seems to become a "early leaver" even if u leave an hour after regular time... after doing the same amount of work. People leaving on time after doing their tasks for the day are labelled as work-shirkers. .. Girls who thankfully always (its changing nowadays... though) leave on time are labelled as "not up to it". All the while, the bachelors pat their own backs and carry on "working" not realizing that they r spoiling the work culture at their own place and never realize that they would have to regret at one point of time. So what's the moral of the story?? * Very clear, LEAVE ON TIME!!! * Never put in extra time " unless really needed "* Don't stay back unnecessarily and spoil your company work culture which will in turn cause inconvenience to you and your colleagues. There are hundred other things to do in the evening.. Learn music... Learn a foreign language... Try a sport... TT, cricket..... ....* And for heaven's sake, net cafe rates have dropped to an all-time low (plus, no fire-walls) and try cooking for a change. Take a tip from the Smirnoff ad:*"Life's calling, where are you??" So, do you agree with Murthy. I certainly do. I worked in a company for a few months and noticed to my surprise that employees were not at all interested in leaving the office. The time after work was spent browsing, socializing, or just completing deadlines. Will be glad to hear your views on over time. Cheers and happy mylotting
3 responses
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
26 Apr 08
hi positve! i am not sure if it is called a virtue. in my second job where i stayed the longest, we spent over time hours in the office, and mind you, without pay. sometimes, we stay until the next day, and just go home to change. but the good thing is, we learned a lot from the job and most of my learnings i apply in what i do now. i stay at home and do freelance jobs. i am no longer employed. but i am thankful to my previous job. i learned a lot there. good day1
1 person likes this
• India
27 Apr 08
You are absolutely right! I did not stay all night at any company. I wouldn't do it even to save my life. But I do agree with you about the learning part. We do learn a lot at the workplace, which we can apply later to do what we love. Thanks for responding. Cheers and happy mylotting
@busta1baby (1230)
• United States
27 Apr 08
IM NOT SURE...
1 person likes this
@juliefaye (1214)
• Philippines
26 Apr 08
It's not my habit to render overtime when i was still a corporate slave. for me, 8 hours of work is enough and the remaining time i am awake is for my family. "we work because we want to live, we are not living because of work!" It's ok to render extra time to finish what is to be done on that day, but not everyday because our family needs us and we have to rest also to be sane the following day.
1 person likes this