Very well said! Nice to hear that good workers like you are still out there!
Well, I'm no perfect worker, but I am a hard worker who enjoys producing at levels that exceed "average" or what's "expected." And the cool thing about that is this - the more you produce, the less you are micro managed.
In fact, I do get online a bit at work for non work related stuff - but no more so than if I took a 15 minute break or so in the morning and in the afternoon. I think that's reasonable - after all, everyone needs a break once in awhile. HOWEVER, if people (those who consistently surf the net and text and play with their IPads, etc) are honest with themselves, they'd probably realize that if they add up their time online, and texting, etc - it's probably a lot more than 15 minutes every four hours. Come on. I see it at work all the time. I know all the little tricks - acting like they're on the phone, but in reality holding the phone to their ear but either texting (from their lap) or re arranging their queue on Netflix, or checking Facebook from their IPad that's in their right desk drawer.
Sheeze, it's like an addiction! Meanwhile I'm across the lobby, working, and making commissions left and right. And then they come wandering into my office and say, "Honestly, I don't see how you do it! You are so lucky! I NEVER get any customers in my office who want to buy an annuity!" Then while I'm telling them about how I work leads, or push for more information, they suddenly look down at their phone, start laughing, and then start texting someone else back - and then they look back up at me and say, "Yeah? Well...hey, have you seen that video about the praying dog?"
(Yes, I have - but I saw it at either 5:30 am or 10 pm at night, when I'm at home kicked back playing online.)
The other person asked if I was in "middle management" and no, I'm not currently (and that's my choice - I've turned down several management positions over the past two years, because I don't want or need the stress in my life). But in the past I've managed a group of 80 realtors, I've owned my own real estate company (with 20 realtors and several full time employees), and I've been a sales manager (over 14 people) for a record-breaking franchise (we went from the rank of #160 out of 400 offices, to #2 out of 600 offices in the five years that I managed the sales department).
That particular franchise was a professional placement staffing company, so I interacted on a DAILY basis with business owners and managers. Their chief complaint - their NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT - was about employees (or, usually the case, ex employees which they had just fired) who were doing everything BUT working at work. The number one culprit - cell phones. Number two - surfing the internet rather than working.
Also, my husband owns his own consulting company, and he is the TOP DOG in charge (not "middle management") at every oilfield location he works on. Nothing will get someone fired faster than hanging out in a little corner somewhere punching away on their cell phone or laptop when they should be working. And his expertise and management of 120 or so workers at any given location is so stellar that he is in constant demand - because his management produces excellent results, with greater profit margins, happier employees who are thrilled when they see him show up as the consultant, and fewer workplace accidents.
So I do know a little about what I'm saying.
But don't worry, guys - pretty soon all of us demanding, successful business owners and managers in our 40s, 50s and 60s will retire and leave the rest of you to your own, errr, DEVICES.
