September 30, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Comments posted to this topic are about the item Managerial Relations
October 1, 2008 at 1:52 am
Lots of good points in this article, Steve. Well done.
I agree that pretty much every IT department feels understaffed and overworked. In fact, I'd even go so far as to suggest that's the way it should be, since there'll always be a surplus of work for any resource that's seen as useful. However, I'd make two points. Firstly, an important management challenge is to ensure that this departmental overload isn't simply delegated to the team members. Managers are an important buffer between requesters and implementers to ensure the latter get the opportunity to concentrate on their job, although I know many managers who'll try to dodge this responsibility. Second point is that, whilst it's generally accepted there'll always be more work than time/resources available, it's easy to take it for granted. Simply pointing to a list of requests shouldn't be an excuse for avoiding streamlining a department, but if you find yourself in a position where there's more work in the business critical list than time/resources available, something's shortly going to break.
I also agree wholeheartedly with the point about hoarding information. The department in which I work had just such a person some years ago, and he'd actually been allowed to maneouvre himself into a position where he was the only person who knew anything technical about a business critical application. In effect, he'd made himself truly indispensable. Net result was that, as soon as the department head changed, business processes were changed to make the app obsolete, thereby allowing for the person to be made redundant. Indispensable to surplus to requirements took about 3 months, and he didn't even realise that winding up his job was, at that point, the department's number one priority. It's precisely because of that lesson that I've become VERY good at spotting when I'm starting to look "indispensable", and actively try to share my knowledge around either at or before that point.
Semper in excretia, suus solum profundum variat
October 1, 2008 at 8:30 am
I've never understood hoarding information so your job is secure. I spent 9 years supporting a manufacturing facility through 2 owners and had call that varied from every 3rd week to every 9th week and in-between I did not want to be called because I had not documented a system so another person could troubleshoot it. Sure I wanted job security, but I tried to get that through being good at my job and contributing to the success of the company.
Unfortunately the second company decided that all salaried employees were owned by the company and had unreasonable work expectations with no recognition or compensation for extra time and effort put in. Needless to say morale at that company went in the toilet. Everyone I knew was looking for another position and most ended up leaving. I was actually let go in a layoff, but was asked back later and refused (even with a HUGE pay raise on the table) other than going in as a contractor (I could set my hours and no call).
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
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October 1, 2008 at 8:59 am
I believe, it is now that companies should actually increase their IT budget. Technology allows to do the same job, more effienciently than it was before. Money is tough, and there is a financial crisis and we have to do more with what we have got. If managed and implemented properly no other investment goes much better and longer in providing the value to business than embracing technology. Even small changes can provide huge savings.
--work from home - cut auto-allowances/ fuel costs etc
--online meetings - cut travel costs and increase resource availability
--Corporate IM & shared space - cut unnecessary email/phone traffic instead using the bandwith for other stuff
--invest in GPS(if u have a fleet) - cut losttime, fuel costs, increase time management,
--invest in solar panels - cut energy cost (lots of high rises can be effectively used)
--automation - avoid costly human errors
keep in mind not everything can be applied to everyone and under every situation but a lot of issues have been and can be solved by technology.
Tj
October 1, 2008 at 11:00 am
Not too long ago, I was working for a subprime mortgage company. I watched the size of our company go from 2500 down to 50. They kept me around to keep the SQL/Oracle lights on. It caused a lot of reflection however in terms of my career. Part of why I successfully stayed around was that I diversified my knowledge and shared it. People knew I shared it which meant I had a lot of info in a lot of different areas.
Ultimately, I had to make a career decision in the interest of my family. So, I secured a short term role and started my own business on the side which can hopefully achieve long term goals.
You have to diversify your career skills and abilities just as much as your stock portfolio. How many realtors are there today that just don't know what to do?
Best of luck to anyone in this situtaion.
Remember this when a developer tells you it will just be temporary. Temporary = Permanent.
October 1, 2008 at 12:51 pm
A good article. Maintaining a good relationship between a manger and employees is important. However these days not many good managers are around. It seems they are more interested in protecting their jobs than their employees. Bad economy takes a toll on everyone.
October 1, 2008 at 1:12 pm
It can be a fine line between going along and being taken advantage of. I've had managers who would instill the fear of firing if the extra mile wasn't delivered. Once that extra mile was completed, a new mile appeared and we were to shoot for that.
Where or how would you draw the line? Everyone has a different breaking point. If the boss asked for yet another weekend after you just spent 8 straight weekends working? How do you know when you're being a good team player and when your being a patsy? :doze:
October 1, 2008 at 2:09 pm
skjoldtc (10/1/2008)
... Where or how would you draw the line? Everyone has a different breaking point. If the boss asked for yet another weekend after you just spent 8 straight weekends working? How do you know when you're being a good team player and when your being a patsy? :doze:
If you have to tell your wife/family that many times that you have to work next weekend, then it's definitely too many. The movie Liar, Liar comes to mind. But you're right, everyone has a different breaking point. When you're young and perhaps more idealistic, you have the energy and endurance (and perhaps not as many responsibilities) to survive working those kinds of hours.
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[font="Arial"]Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information upon it. --Samuel Johnson[/font]
October 1, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Wayne West (10/1/2008)
skjoldtc (10/1/2008)
... Where or how would you draw the line? Everyone has a different breaking point. If the boss asked for yet another weekend after you just spent 8 straight weekends working? How do you know when you're being a good team player and when your being a patsy? :doze:If you have to tell your wife/family that many times that you have to work next weekend, then it's definitely too many. The movie Liar, Liar comes to mind. But you're right, everyone has a different breaking point. When you're young and perhaps more idealistic, you have the energy and endurance (and perhaps not as many responsibilities) to survive working those kinds of hours.
I agree that before I had kids and was getting established I was more willing and likely to work longer and later hours. Once I had kids and got established this happened less often. If you are aware that weekends will be necessary when you are hired then you can't really complain, but if it doesn't come up until later then you need to discuss it with your manager and escalate it if necessary. If you are a salaried employee, which most of us are, you have to get boundaries set in writing or some companies/managers will work you until you drop. Expect extra compensation, either cash or time, for crazy work hours. IF you have to work 8 weekends in a row to get a project done on time, then you should be compensated somehow.
Jack Corbett
Consultant - Straight Path Solutions
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October 1, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I think you have to draw your own lines, and you have to see if your boss will give you a break. If they're unwilling to admit they're pushing too hard or give you a break (or even discuss it), I think you're being taken advantage of.
Working 8 weekends in a row is ridiculous. Obviously you weren't fighting a fire or even close to done. Time to adjust schedules.
October 1, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Steve Jones - Editor (10/1/2008)
I think you have to draw your own lines, and you have to see if your boss will give you a break. If they're unwilling to admit they're pushing too hard or give you a break (or even discuss it), I think you're being taken advantage of.Working 8 weekends in a row is ridiculous. Obviously you weren't fighting a fire or even close to done. Time to adjust schedules.
I worked at one place where they got on my case for "only" working 50-55 hours per week on a six day per week schedule. They wanted to know why I wasn't in on Sundays, too.
There was actually one guy there who had worked seven days a week for about 14 months. But he was at least a consultant, and they had to pay through the nose for it.
[Frankly, I think they would have gotten as much work from him if they had kept him to a five day a week and 45 hour schedule.]
October 2, 2008 at 3:57 am
Bosses taking advantage of employees, huh?! Well, tell me about it. I have worked for my boss till 12 and 1 o'clock in the night. One time even till the sun came up the next day but when it comes to me wanting to take off or taking sick leave or leave he had long stories to tell. Look, I am willing to walk the extra mile and even 10 if it comes to the push and I don't do it for favours in turn but when I need time out he must not make long excuses. Yes, 8 weekends in a row is hectic and I want to say it will come back but I dunno. Some bosses are just ........:w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t::w00t:
:-PManie Verster
Developer
Johannesburg
South Africa
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Holy Bible
I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times. - Everett Mckinley Dirkson (Well, I am trying. - Manie Verster)
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