1/28/2008 Office Face-Time in Jittery-Times

A gander at the news and you’d think the sky was falling. Talk of recession, a stimulus package, an additional anticipated interest rate cut, housing crunch woes – you get the idea? Underlying fear about the economy hits consumer confidence, but it also has economists and career counselors poised to pontificate on the condition of the job market.

The rate of unemployment is a lagging economic indicator. It’s less a predictor of what’s to come – but rather an indicator of what is already in play. That means a continually rising unemployment rate might be indicative of an already weakening economy.

So where does that leave the average Joe who might be thinking about their job security? It might have workers running for their cubicles or their bosses office to get some "face time" and demonstrate their loyalty. The worklife balance that so many of us have been striving for might be threatened in the muddy waters of recession because of the perception that more "face time" = "higher productivity."

In the scores of interviews I have done on this topic it’s been consistently revealed that job programs with less "face time" – more often than not deliver just as much, if not more productivity from its employees.

As more companies implement what has long been referred to as "worklife balance initiatives" addressing strategies such as – flex-time, part-time, job sharing and telecommuting – we are seeing a more enlightened view emerge about "face time", albeit not across the board.

A progressive company should care less about "face time"  – and more about a results oriented workplace. This requires more accountability on the part of the employee, better managerial monitoring systems of worker productivity and the old fashioned virtue of trust. What it calls for is a shift in perception. Companies need to realize that a little work to design a "checks and balances" system, will be more cost effective in the long run. It allows a company to hold onto a productive employee and avoid retraining costs. 

As for the employee, job worries might be assuaged knowing that their company is making efforts to reduce the fears associated with limited "face time." Still, it would be prudent for workers to be on their game by managing their careers with awareness and a little extra effort. I recently blogged on this at the start of the year in Turn up the Heat in Your Career! But the tips bare repeating:

1. Examine your working conditions. What can you do to change your productivity levels? A change in working hours or perhaps a de-stressing routine might boost your productivity and status.
2. Identifying your strengths: What are the work tasks that you excel at, come easy to you, or you are most passionate about. It might not be such a stretch to take on a bit more responsibility in that area or a project. This is a good way to stand out, without burning out.
3. Go beyond your comfort zone: When is the last time you met a new colleague for lunch or had a friendly chat with your boss? This is subtle networking which puts you on the radar screen beyond water cooler conversation.
4. Learn a new skill: In our 24/7 working environment there are always new ways to do business. You might take a training course in a new computer program, enhance your current skills with new certifications, or even learn a new language.
5. Share your accomplishments: There are subtle ways of informing your boss of your accolades. Whether it be an award or landing a new client. What communication works in your workplace atmosphere? It might be a simple e-mail or a quick dropping of the news at a lunch break.
6. New business: There’s no better way to draw attention than to bring in new business. Check out older leads, perhaps there is repeat business with existing clients that can be explored. Examine your strategy and by taking a conscious look at what has worked and hasn’t worked in the past.