You Mean Once We're Always Connected, We Can Always Be Bothered?
from the two-sides-to-every-technology dept
While some people hail devices like the Blackberry that allow constant mobile access to email or other work information as a godsend, they tend to ignore the downside of anytime, anywhere connectivity -- that you're connected any time, anywhere. Too often the devices are accompanied either by an expectation that their users are available for work matters all the time, or an expectation or behavior from users that they should be checking them all the time. As these technologies become more pervasive and popular, the ability to "switch off" may get even harder for some people. Employers need to understand that just because their employees can be connected and available all the time doesn't mean they should be. Workers should also realize that having a Blackberry doesn't mean the workday suddenly just got expanded to 24 hours, either. Still, for those that absolutely can't bring themselves to put the devices away when they're on vacation, they can stay at one Chicago hotel that says it will take them away and lock them up from willing guests.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Alternatives
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
No, Not You
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Aww...
The real story, I take it, is the hotel story?
Honestly, there are some of us that feel the 24/7 "on call" blues even without a Blackberry. Doing away with it won't fix the problem.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Aww...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:Aww...
I feel that. I would rather have a Blackberry email than a Motorola Beeper going off all the time.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Blackberry
unless Im expecting an important call.....REALLY important. I shut the damn thing off. I'll use the VM afew times a day to screen. When I reply I make it
a practice to use the Land Line where practical. You
will be surprised how many calls you dont have to answer. It really helps cure verbal diarrhea.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Reminds me of a joke...
A doctor is at a 'high class social' party. He spots an acquaintance across the room, whom he knows is an attorney. He makes his way across the floor and engages in small talk. During the conversation, he mentions that it's difficult to attend functions like the party without people coming up to ask him about any number of maladies and ailments. He explains that he feels he should offer them advice, but it's a burden on his time off from his work. "How do you handle people requesting your professional service in a social setting?" he asks the attorney. "Simple," replied the attorney, "I simply send them a bill for services in the morning."
"That's a great idea!" exclaims the doctor, "Thank you for telling me about it." "No problem" says the attorney and they part company and go off to enjoy the party.
The next day, the doctor gets a bill for the attorney's advice in the mail.
As far as I'm concerned, if it isn't during 'work hours', it's worth a lot more than my hourly pay to reply to a work related message. I think I would write an auto-respond message saying that I would get to any messages as soon as I got back to the office.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have a blackberry too, and I get email from work on it, but I have no problems ignoring it after work hours. Sure, I'll answer it - well, depends on who's calling. If it's important, I'm sure they'll leave a voicemail, otherwise, if I'm not on call that week - they'll get a reply in the morning.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sometimes It's Gotta Go
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
i am not defined by my job, nor do I let it define me. it's a paycheck. that is all. most people that i see that are always "on the clock" having nothing better to do anyway. turn off the crackberry, get out of the office. get a little fresh air and a nice piece of ass. life is too short to be answering work email on Saturday...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]