Many people I know (including co-workers, not just managers) believe that, if someone works faster than others, he or she has a duty to produce more work than those others - without earning more than they do.
I believe otherwise. If I can work, say, twice as fast, I believe that, unless they pay me more, it is my right to produce as much as everyone else (in half their time), and then use the rest of the time for myself.
Unfortunately, everyone around me hates this attitude of mine - they think that, if I’m not working (and I never pretend that I’m working when I’m not), then I’m lazying about, and somehow “not giving my all”, even though I produce as much as the others - sometimes even more.
Also, because I have a reputation for being fast, it’s as if it became my duty - and mine alone - to be ridiculously fast all the time, and therefore my boss demands I do everything as fast as I can - even though everyone else would take a lot more time.
Some people even say I’m arrogant when I complain about this. You, yourself, may be thinking exactly that, as you read this.
But am I arrogant just because I demand fairness?
If I worked as fast as I could, all the time, then I would be doing the work of 3 people or more - and not earn a cent more than I do (it’s like that around here, trust me). To me, that’s stupid - I refuse to be punished because I am competent.
The alternative would be to pretend I’m working, or to artificially extend my work. That’s dishonest, and I don’t do it.
So I’m “lazy” and “arrogant”.
Related posts:
Subscribe to this blog
Ah, well…. since this is a repeating subject, and I don’t want to repeat myself on my opinion about it…
But there’s one thing that crossed my mind while I was reading your post… when you mention the pay/effort trade: that would be true if you worked to an employer/company where someone’s either measuring your workload or with modular object strategies, I believe yours doesn’t match any of those… that’s the problem. Since nobody knows how to measure your workload, do not expect to be rewarded neither expect someone to realize or understand you doing things not work related during business hours.
If I was you… If advices were any good we’d sell not give them… but just find something else that fits your way of working and personality.
I’m doing exactly that.
And your doing good
There is a saying…”A man’s got to know his limitations!” Think that is from some two bit movie actor or something.
The ethic you have described is the difference between capitalism and socialism. The capitalist believes his work is of value and should be paid accordingly. The socialist/communist believes in an egalitarianism where distribution is equal regardless of quality of effort.
Perhaps if you put out feelers to employment worthy of your value (assuming you are valuable to production), perhaps your employers would hassle you less. I doubt they would increase your wage, the employers are capitalists too.
Excel at mediocrity! Those holding back… UNITE!! The job I have is the best paying in my area, in my field of expertise. I can do the work of two or even three of my colleagues between in-coming calls. I’ve even discussed it with my supervisor. He understands why I don’t bother putting my 100% into a job that won’t reward it.
Sure, I’ll do an extra project if I’m bored… other than that.. There is no driving reason to do so. I’ve already been told (by more than 2 people) I’ll never make it to management since I’m so “opinionated”.
I do my job… and I go home. Nothing more…
I wish… Oh how I wish I could do my best and be recognized for it.
Red Clover: the problem is that “doing my job” takes up so little time - and then I’m “not giving my all” because I have so much free time. And I refuse to lie, even to those people - I won’t pretend I’m working when I’m not, nor will I extend a task’s time artificially.
I won’t lie. I won’t pretend. I won’t be stupid and do the work of 3 people. The remaining choice is to be seen as lazy. And, unlike your supervisor, mine doesn’t understand this.
I’ve reached a point where I believe that “competent managers” are mythological beings. I’ve had to put up with too many idiots in my life already, and this is why I hope to work at home, on my own - hopefully starting in 2006, though it won’t be easy.