Who Needs Dignity When You Have a Job?

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

The company installed a tracking system early this year that requires workers to swipe their ID cards to enter the bathroom so their time can be closely monitored.

-- New York Daily News

Comments

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

They understand that ruthlessness is the key, but are still learning how to focus.

[oslo.livejournal.com]

Small business owners, despite their constant valorization in the media and in our politics, are still basically just flawed human beings with delusions of grandeur and limited competence. There's a reason they fail so frequently, and it isn't just luck or markets proving too difficult.

I have to imagine that, here, a company that's trying to squeeze additional productivity out of "restroom time" can't be one that's doing well; and, also, a company with this kind of thought going on at the top can't be bound for lasting success. If your workers find their working experience so unpleasant that they're trying to grab unscheduled "break time" by taking a "breather" in the restroom, maybe you should address that, holistically speaking, rather than trying to carrot-and-stick your way to profit.

[thedabara-cds.livejournal.com]

God yes, this. My job isn't as stressful as it used to be, but a few years ago I spent more time in the bathroom stall having a 5-minute cry for stress-relief then I did using it for what it was designed for.

And I'm betting this company also expects you to not call in sick unless it is life-threatening, so you're still supposed to come in with the flu - and vomiting into your cubicle's waste-basket because you have used up your daily bathroom time is NOT good for department morale - especially once you've germed on everyone there. Really bad business planning.

[the-rukh.livejournal.com]

I've worked for some pretty darned big companies and this kind of nickel and diming for seconds of productivity is pretty common towards the lower-payed positions. Its not at all just small businesses.

[oslo.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. Still, the people who come up with these ideas in big companies are just as flawed and idiotic.

[the-rukh.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with you there!

[beyondfake-0.livejournal.com]

I worked for a small business, and I had the utmost respect for them until I asked to be able to answer my phone if it was the VA calling despite their no cell phone policy. Which is covered under the ADA. The meeting to discuss the issue never got scheduled, it kept getting put off, then they decided to not give me any hours. I wasn't exactly fired... but there was nothing I could do - despite them having the hours to give. (They were showing new hires around one day when I picked up a friend from work) I talked to a lawyer, not much protection out there for me because they have less than 50 employees. They're flawed human beings, but still get more preference than the average worker.