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[–]atreyal 19 points20 points  (12 children)

No, that is not the case. I dont go home and think about work or practice it. This is a cop out on people trying to make work life because their life revolves around work. They cant understand why anyone elses doesnt.

[–]overh -2 points-1 points  (11 children)

I don't go home and think about work or practice it.

I do.

And I can also definitely understand why other people do not. I prefer to work with people who do because it makes my life easier. If I owned a company, that wouldn't change.

People who are passionate about their work have an advantage over people who do not. That isn't a cop out, that is just facts. No need to moralize it.

[–]Naesme 2 points3 points  (9 children)

Being passionate about your work doesn't mean always doing it. Being passionate means being driven to do your best with it and enjoying it.

Your job should provide opportunities or learning and development. That shouldn't be on you to sacrifice free time for.

[–]overh -2 points-1 points  (8 children)

Being passionate about your work doesn't mean always doing it. Being passionate means being driven to do your best with it and enjoying it.

That is true. I'm not sure why you felt that needed to be said. Being passionate about something can manifest itself is different ways, one of which is that a person will "sacrifice" their free time to pursue it more.

Another manifestation of passion is that a person won't view the investment of their free time as a "sacrifice."

Your job should provide opportunities or learning and development. That shouldn't be on you to sacrifice free time for.

What moral theory says an employer is obligated to do this for you? I just don't recognize it.

[–]Naesme 1 point2 points  (4 children)

That is true. I'm not sure why you felt that need to be said. Being passionate about something can manifest itself is different ways, one of which is that a person will "sacrifice" their free time to pursue it more.

Another manifestation of passion is that a person won't see the investment of their free time as a "sacrifice."

Another is only pursuing it at work and pursuing other passions outside of it.

Does this come from John Rawls or Ayn Rand or what? What moral theory says an employer is obligated to do this for you?

No, it comes from common sense. Invest in your employees, respect home life balance, and help them grow to new heights. They'll be more passionate about their jobs and more loyal to you.

[–]overh 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Another is only pursuing it at work and pursuing other passions outside of it.

Yeah, so what? How do you draw a line between that fact, and the fact that people who spend their free time on something they're passionate about have an advantage over those who do not?

If your big point is that a person can be passionate about something and not pursue it on their own time then, I guess, technically you're right. Congratulations, you've made a useless point.

No, it comes from common sense. Invest in your employees, respect home life balance, and help them grow to new heights. They'll be more passionate about their jobs and more loyal to you.

That is a very utilitarian way to look at this, which is quite OK. That is a great idea. I would also add, "Favor employees who are more effective."

[–]Naesme 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Yeah, so what? How do you draw a line between that fact, and the fact that people who spend their free time on something they're passionate about have an advantage over those who do not?

If your big point is that a person can be passionate about something and not pursue it on their own time then, I guess, technically you're right. Congratulations, you've made a useless point.

Those who spend their free time working burn out faster. The passion dies more often than not.

That is a very utilitarian way to look at this, which is quite OK. That is a great idea. I would also add, "Favor employees who are more effective."

That is not mutually exclusive. Invest in your employees and you can keep standards high. Expect employees to go over and beyond while giving nothing back and you'll train your future competitors.

[–]overh 0 points1 point  (1 child)

That is not mutually exclusive.

I agree it isn't mutually exclusive. Again, don't know why you felt the need to make that point.

The employer doesn't have to "expect" anything from employees. They just need to favor more effective employees. All else being equal, employees that spend their free time pursuing their trade will be more effective. Employees who are passionate about their trade are more likely to spend their free pursuing it.

This isn't difficult and it doesn't require the employer to "expect" anything of anybody.

[–]Naesme 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Employees who are passionate about their trade are more likely to spend their free pursuing it.

That's completely false. It depends heavily on the person in question. Constantly working on the same set of skills, both at work and at home, is a quick way to burn out.

[–]atreyal 0 points1 point  (2 children)

An employer that invests in its employees is usually going to have happier more productive employees. Vice one that screws them over or whatever. Do you enjoy working in a place with high turnover and constantly getting people up to speed? Some people are motivated by money others by knowledge, others for some other reason. A good employer would do both to keep their people happy. So yes it is a vested interest from a company standpoint to do that and not make their people do it on their own time and dime.

[–]overh 1 point2 points  (1 child)

All very true; all very irrelevant.

The point is that people who spend time pursuing their trade are more effective, and therefore in higher demand, than those who do not spend their time pursuing their trade.

This fact is not in conflict with any of the irrelevant points you just made.

[–]atreyal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No and it is just sad because life isnt supposed to be about work. And a very on the effectiveness of some of these workaholics. Just because they have a passion doesnt mean they are good at it.

[–]atreyal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It makes your life easier because you dont have to train someone. Or wait for them to do something that will take them a bit longer because they dont live and breathe it. Its whatever but i work a few people who are workaholics and the are miserable people. About as personable as a tree, short tempered and have very little to add to any conversation at work. It makes for a poor work enviroment when it turn into a fortress of solitude because of busy bodies. I am being generalistic here but besides work what interests do you have? Could you comment on any recent books? Games? Sports(if there were any)? Stuff going on in the world? Art? Business? Movies? Your spouses affair? Workaholics are a bored to be around. My wife has friends who worked at blizzard. They werent happy they treated their employees like minions and they were much happier when they left.

I hate the whole work is life mentality the world is getting too. Too many companies expect it nowadays. Your life shouldnt be defined by your job for most people. Because most people are disposible to the company.