Office Life - Not for me!
Discussion
I know there have been many similar threads in the same vein, but I felt I had to post and vent after my recent experiences.
About four years ago, after several years of corporate climbing, Company cars and International Business travel, I decided to take the plunge and work freelance. Luckily for me business has been generally good and thanks to technology like mobile phones, wireless internet connections etc I can do most of my work from home. However, occassionally I am still required to spend a few weeks at a time on-site with clients. Most of these stints have been quite enjoyable, the people friendly, the work interesting and the whole experience made even more enjoyable at the thought of how much money I will be billing for my services. Recently I spent several weeks on-site with a new client and I feel I've experienced all the worst aspects of the Dilbert books and David Brentisms within that short time. It must be something about being couped up in cubicles in a modern open plan office that brings out the petiness in people. I couldn't believe the rudeness, small mindedness, play acting and posturing that appeared to be part of everyday life. I have little doubt that some of it was aimed at me because I was abviously a "free man" unfettered by having to brown nose and climb their corporate ladder.
One of the other things that has become obvious to me as someone who regularly works from home, is just how unproductive office based workers can be. Defeinitely a case of measuring hours at the coal face rather than the quantity of coal produced.
It just confirmed to me that working freelance suits my character and disposition, even with long periods spent waiting for new clients and no income.
Vent over.
pp
About four years ago, after several years of corporate climbing, Company cars and International Business travel, I decided to take the plunge and work freelance. Luckily for me business has been generally good and thanks to technology like mobile phones, wireless internet connections etc I can do most of my work from home. However, occassionally I am still required to spend a few weeks at a time on-site with clients. Most of these stints have been quite enjoyable, the people friendly, the work interesting and the whole experience made even more enjoyable at the thought of how much money I will be billing for my services. Recently I spent several weeks on-site with a new client and I feel I've experienced all the worst aspects of the Dilbert books and David Brentisms within that short time. It must be something about being couped up in cubicles in a modern open plan office that brings out the petiness in people. I couldn't believe the rudeness, small mindedness, play acting and posturing that appeared to be part of everyday life. I have little doubt that some of it was aimed at me because I was abviously a "free man" unfettered by having to brown nose and climb their corporate ladder.
One of the other things that has become obvious to me as someone who regularly works from home, is just how unproductive office based workers can be. Defeinitely a case of measuring hours at the coal face rather than the quantity of coal produced.
It just confirmed to me that working freelance suits my character and disposition, even with long periods spent waiting for new clients and no income.
Vent over.
pp
It's not just at the office that it happens, mind you.
There is a hell of alot of posturing that goes on at my place of work (a shop, alebit a fairly big one).... And yet afterwards all the staff can go out for a drink and act completely like mates.
Not sure if that last bit is good or bad.
There is a hell of alot of posturing that goes on at my place of work (a shop, alebit a fairly big one).... And yet afterwards all the staff can go out for a drink and act completely like mates.
Not sure if that last bit is good or bad.
Could'nt agree more about the pettiness of a work environment, i used to work for a small engineering Co, about 16 people and was so glad to be away from it.
Now, i am self employed, making and installing gates,man and electric, railings and spiral staircases.
Although i dont miss the bickering and small mindedness, i do miss the humour.
I could not imagine working in an office, i complain at times but my job is very rewarding.
Now, i am self employed, making and installing gates,man and electric, railings and spiral staircases.
Although i dont miss the bickering and small mindedness, i do miss the humour.
I could not imagine working in an office, i complain at times but my job is very rewarding.
moparmick said:
i do miss the humour.
True, I've recently left a company where i was one of 15 engineers, and while i felt it was a great place to work. i dont miss the fact everyone had to put on the "correct" mask to the relevant meeting/person infact i felt somewhat isolated cos to me fact wsa fact and that was all that mattered, but i'm a naive uni-fresh kid and had no intentiuons of makeing a life-carer at the company. However i do miss the humour and the banter.
This was make very obivous at my leaving do last friday, i couldnt of paid the world for the banter that flew about, thats the only thing of what i miss from it all...the "fellowship"
Regards
Iain
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