*spark-online.com >> version 25.0, OCTOBER.2001 >> DON R. BARBERA

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beware of geeks bearing gifts

by don r. barbera

In the battle to become "top dog" in the corporate kennel, individual perks weigh in as sure signs of success. However, in dealing with corporate America it is prudent to keep your eyes on the magicians of industry and to always beware of geeks bearing gifts.

The corner office and personal parking space are still standards in the world of perks, but the information revolution is making new inroads into the world of perks and pampering, and has helped corporate-centric intellects find new ways to put unnoticed shackles upon unwitting employees. New statistics show that U.S. productivity is at an all-time high. They also show that U.S. office workers, although they are earning more money than ever, are actually getting less in real dollars because they are often doing the work of two or three people, but are not being compensated at a comparable rate.

Corporations have found it is easier to give beads and trinkets in the form of technology baubles on a one-time basis rather than continue to support high-cost items such as healthcare and other benefits, which are ongoing costs, compared to a corporate discounted Palm Pilot worth less than $200. Laptop PCs, PDAs, high-speed home Internet connections and cell phones have certainly made employees more productive. However, what many employees miss is the invasive nature of these technologies.

Hidden behind this technology deployment lies a serious increase in the amount of work done and time spent by individuals who do more work after hours just to keep up as companies continue to downsize. The freedom of the "virtual office" has some people working 12- to 16-hour days without any increase in pay. Not only is this becoming a standard, it is also expected. With global satellite communications, just about anyone is a phone call away at any time.

Occasionally, after-hours work is a necessity. The operative word in the previous sentence is "occasionally." The needs of work shift constantly, defying schedules, making it impossible for precise scheduling. Occasionally one must put in a few long days, but it shouldn't be a regular occurrence. If it is routine, one of three things is usually the cause: (1) Failure of planning and organization, (2) Too few resources for the job, or (3) taking on more than time or resources allow, which is the same as number one.

If this emergency drill sounds like your work life, there are several things you can do. First, turn off your pager after business hours—unless it is a requirement of the job and if it is, demand additional compensation. Second, turn off your cell phone and PC after hours, unless you receive compensation or use them for personal projects. Don't give your personal cell phone number to your employer. Establish an acceptable work routine with your employer and stick to it. Be sure to organize and plan your workday to be as efficient and productive as possible in the least amount of time. Do not let others' lack of planning become your emergency. Learn how to make people keep their monkeys on their backs rather than passing them to you.

The next time you are offered a cell phone, PDA, laptop, or other high tech productivity device be sure to think twice before accepting. Remember, always beware of geeks bearing gifts.

Don Barbera has contributed to *spark-online since its inception.