Originally Posted by Maker (Post 2252978)

In a large meeting, a VP praised a certain employee (by name) for putting in extra effort, often staying past 5:00, and carrying more than their share.
That employee was awful, and VP comment destroyed moral because most knew how bad that guy was.
I was good friends with the VP, and mentioned the praised employee rarely arrives before 10am, took 2 hour lunches, and their work was lousy. Calling him out because he was seen hanging around late was flat out wrong. Most others people arrived before 7am, worked while eating lunch, and their 9+ hour day ended after 4pm; and they were now starting to take a real lunch, changing to a 10-5 schedule too, and taking long breaks to chit chat with friends.

Some managers are clueless. Some never understand how the workplace has changed in recent years. Some fail to understand that a lot of jobs involve 100% remote activity, and there is zero difference where that person sits. Some never realize people work longer hours, and have better productivity without all those mini-meetings, office chats, etc.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2252431)

Daughter goes in once a week, sil never, son and dil never go in.

The world has changed, not sure if this stay at home thing is good or bad but for me would rather work around others

Originally Posted by patfla06 (Post 2253071)

I’m with you on I’d rather work in the office with others.

I get sick of being home & not seeing others.

Originally Posted by patfla06 (Post 2253071)

I’m with you on I’d rather work in the office with others.

I get sick of being home & not seeing others.

Originally Posted by Boomer (Post 2252346)

Now, here we are. . .never more connected, yet never more disconnected.

Boomer

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2252983)

Have worked with people who loved to have meetings. Mostly a huge waste of time.

One in particular would talk almost the entire time telling stories we have heard enough that we could tell the story. Basically he was in love with the sound of his voice.

Originally Posted by Salty Dog (Post 2253116)

Describes many a meeting I've attended: The Abilene paradox is a collective fallacy, in which a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of most or all individuals in the group, while each individual believes it to be aligned with the preferences of most of the others.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2253299)

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2253301)

I remember attending a meeting where a Government contractor with muddy boots and a hard hat showed up to discuss a $2,000 claim with the contracting officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, on a small construction contract. Before the meeting started, 15 Government employees showed up, including 3 lawyers wearing suits. I whispered to the contracting officer that he needed to tell everyone to leave so we could resolve the claim. He did.

Originally Posted by cjrjck (Post 2253356)

It's a different work ethic today. Not saying it is better or worse, just different. Last decade, we had trouble getting people to work overtime even though it was a condition of employment. Additionally, flex time and flex place became the norm. Any attempt to change this was met with stiff resistance.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2253299)

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

Originally Posted by dtennent (Post 2253732)

I have a bias since I worked in Research and Development my entire career. Obviously, it is hard to do sophisticated lab work or run a pilot line from home. Aside from that, there were a number of times when I overheard conversations either in the hallway or in the cafeteria that involved people outside of my team or direct reports. These inputs lead to inspirations on how to solve problems that my team was facing. I don't know how you can properly assign value to the overheard comment or the chance meeting of someone that leads to further the innovative process. Giving an employee the opportunity to work from home to take care of a sick child is an important exception. However, given that I have lead projects that took research ideas and converted them into products, I can't imagine how that could be done from home in Research and Development.

Originally Posted by MrFlorida (Post 2252375)

Remember, if you can work from home, that home can be in India as well, be careful what you wish for...