Do we want what we begged for?

Comment by Shannon Myers on December 18, 2008 at 1:00pm

I think there is a progression on this topic. I think when the work from home movement began and company provided or paid for laptops and blackberrys sort of gave supervisors who did not have these tools themselves the feeling that now they should be able to check in with you at any time. And for many of us who where in that situation in the beginning this was the case, getting called or emailed at odd hours or being questioned when you did not answer a phone call. However the more widely these tools are being used and the more executive level staff are being brought into this movement the more they tend to respect the parameters of personal versus work time.
As a whole we need to set our own boundaries as to when we are going to answer that phone call or check email and set those parameters with those we work or socialize with. The discussion I see here is how to communicate this or even set your own boundaries. The more you become available the more people will take advantage of this time and only you can control that.
The only fuzzy area I do see as a concern is controlling what others put out there that may relate to you. An example of this is someone who has children who does not feel comfortable posting images of their children on facebook. They log on one day to find a friend of theirs has posted a large album and tagged your children in multiple photos. Again, this is a conversation you would control with that friend but what if it’s not a friend, how do you control that information? With lawsuits already coming about from online I can see more control coming down the road in this area.

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Comment by Tom Dimmick on January 22, 2009 at 12:00pm

Just watched your video. Yes, we have asked for all this technology. No, we don't like it. In fact, do you like that I can interrupt you right now? It really is a terrible trade off of our privacy and personal space. However; what is the alternative?

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