Employee or Slave???

It seems that more and more companies these days are expecting their employees to work longer hours, be available (on-call) after hours and pretty much jump whenever the company says so.

I've seen instances where a company has called employees at 11:00pm on a week night or at 9:30am on a Sunday expecting the employee to drop whatever they are doing and address the work related issue.

To some employees this isn't a major issue as they really live to work. They may not have families or they may just be workaholics. But to those employees who have families this is a major issue. How would you like to be called at 2pm on a Sunday, while celebrating your childs birthday and be expected to work.

Companies often tout they are "Family Oriented". Providing generous time off/vacation/personal day policies, some as high as 25-30 days a year. Yet, some of these same companies expect their employees to work "until the job is done", meaning the employee may work well into the night. Companies issues cell phones and pda's in an attempt to stay in constant contact with their employees. To some, a company cell phone or pda is a perk. To others it's an inescapable umbilical cord tying you to the company.

I've seen company policies that state no member of you family can work for a competitor. What if my spouse already worked for a competitor prior to me being hired? I've seen companies dictate that employees can not invest money in a competitor. What if my mutual fund company chooses to invest in that company without my knowledge?

I've seen company policies where it was acceptable behavior for the company to monitor and judge the activity of your personal life. Here's a scenario for you.

You get the jist of the story. Since when has it become acceptable for a company to monitor your private life? Since when did we, as employees, start tolerating this?

It seems to me that a lot of companies attempt to show a nice exterior by providing generous time off packages, cell phones, pda's, etc... but these often cover up the underlying issue that once hired the employee is all but expected to become a slave to the company.

Since when have we been resigned to accept that just because I'm an employee, I'm also their property?

Just because we work for a company, doesn't mean they owns us....does it??

Your situation has always been an issue. It's become more prevalent with the advent of the Internet, where it's much easier to monitor employee's personal lives, but employees have always had to "watch out for" bosses at the grocery store. It's wrong and immoral, but it happens. It's much worse outside our industry, and it's expected in some (like politics). If an employee's personal life reflects poorly on the company, the company may take action. Your grocery store example, however, is an extreme, and is an abuse of this principle. I know I would publicly scold my (imaginary) child even if I wasn't frustrated. It's a child. Managing adults is completely different, and if my supervisor didn't understand that I would have to question his reliability and effectiveness as a supervisor. Loudly. To his supervisor.

As for "on-call", with companies relying more and more on technology and worldwide enterprise, they truly do need someone on-call who can fix techinical issues. It's become standard in the IT industry to expect to have to go in to work if a datacenter explodes. This is an expectation that the company should notify the employee of during the original hiring interview, of course, but there's nothing wrong with having the expectation in the first place. It becomes an issue when the employee isn't granted "comp time" when he/she works a 20 hour day trying to resolve critical issues. For some employees that isn't a problem. For others, perhaps they would be happier somewhere else. No one is forcing them to work there.

edited for clarity

Apply the old saying "You get what you accept".

I'm not talking about any one particular job or company or industry. I'm talking the vast majority of companies seem to expect the employee to sacrifice aspects of their personal life to accomodate the company.

I'm just curious how people feel about this, since companies obviously don't come right out and say it, but it is implied either directly or indirectly within company policies or as a part of the company culture itself.

Should the fact that an employee gets 2 weeks vacation, a company paid cell phone, etc... offset the fact that he/she is expected to sacrifice certains portions of their personal life?

The fact that an employee walks out the door at 5pm doesn't mean they aren't still on company time. Considering an employee could be expected to be called on a moments notice anytime day or night.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, I'm just making an observation that it seems more and more companies expect their employees to put the company's needs first above all else (to a certain point of course).

It's a bunch of garbage. Unless I signed a document the day I was hired that said a company now owns my life, I hate the fact that they expect you to be there for them whenever they want. When I worked for the city I live in, they behaved in that manner. If people called out of events, they'd immediately start phoning others to get them to go. That really irrated me because the whole point of a day off is to obviously have it off. As you can see, it's not just in the private sector. So where did this bad habit come from? I really don't know. I guess the answer might come back to those who are paid on salary; like myself. But then again, I don't mind having to work after hours to finish something. I just don't want them asking me to come in on the weekends or something of that nature.

The simple fact is, if you don't like it - quit. There are plenty of others who would jump at the chance, many of whom will work for less in Eastern countries.

There certainly is a changing culture. The problem stems from the fact that with so many more global organisations businesses are no longer 9-5 operations, they're 24 hours a day.

If it's 2am where you are, it's 11am somewhere else. Businesses now rely on instant communications; receive/send emails from anywhere,faxes,mobile phones. You can never escape.

What can you do? If you're contracted to work 9-5, is that when you have your work mobile turned on. What if your company alters the terms of your contract of employment? Do you not sign it?

The old adage; "well if you're not prepared to do it;there's plenty out there that will!" is true, unfortunately. If a company wants to get rid of you, they'll find a way. It may not be immediately, but your card will be marked, believe me.

So, where does that leave employees? Unfortunately, nowhere. I think you just have to look very closely at the terms of your employment contract. Many (in the UK anyway) will state something along the lines of:-
"You will be required to work from 9.00-17.00 Monday to Friday with 1 hour for lunch. From time to time, you may be required to work outside these times." Hang on then, so you can make me work anytime you want. And what do I get out of it?!

Your working day and job are dictated by the contract you have with your employer. Managers are there to manage people. If they "manage" to get you to work extra hours you're not contracted to do, then they've done their job. I'm not suggesting for one minute you play a "work to rule" game but, at the end of the day, if you have a prior engagement (real or imaginary!) they can't expect you to work outside your contract. Any employment lawyer would have a field day with that. If you really feel that you are being asked to perform unreasonable tasks or work outside of your contract, then notate everything (dates, times, what you were asked to do, how many extra hours, by whom etc.). If it continues after you've expressed your concern that you really have other places to be, then take all your "evidence" to an employment lawyer.

As an employer of people myself, I would certainly never expect our company to force anyone to work extra hours, but if they did go that extra mile, then personally you are more prepared to give them lee-way when they need to go 1/2 an hour early or you don't mind giving them a bonus at christmas.
I think you have to accept a bit of give and take. If you're prepared to work late on something that could make or save the company millions then I would expect to receive some recognition for that.

I think it's all a matter of whether you feel you're getting what you deserve. If not, then the only answer is to bring it up with your manager or look for employment elsewhere.

It's those that are prepared to do the minimum and expect the maximum that annoy me the most.

What like most middle-management then?

I think I'd be more inclined to work late for a manager who also worked late, but if they're not, why should I?

The best time to look for a job is when you have a job! When push comes to shove you are only an employee, an employee that can be replaced.

Get yours when you can! And if you find a perfect job, do everything you can to keep it.

The morel of the story is: If you are not happy with your job, or the way are are being treated, look for a new one. In reality, you are only in your position at work to make your boss look good. Other then that most of the senior management don't give a **** about you.. Just as long as the work gets done! Normally everyone just covers his / her own back! Sad, but true...