I came across an article today called “Ten New Etiquette Tips for the Workplace,” and I took a look at the list, wondering if it might apply to my new job.
At first, the tips were good… don’t use video resumes, do reconnaissance on your probable boss. Some I thought might not apply in some situations, such as adding your CEO as a friend in Facebook.
But then I got down to tip #9: Call people on the weekend for work.
Say what?!
The best way to get a life is to stop being so rigid about the distinction between time for work and time for life.
An exact quote, I kid you not. Here’s another:
If your coworkers don’t like being called on the weekend, they can tell you. But remind them that a flexible work schedule lets you put relationships first all the time, and a work schedule that cordons off five days a week for work and two days a week for a personal life means that the personal life takes a backseat every week of the year.
I really don’t know where Penelope Trunk got this idea. Did she work from the time she got up until she went to bed Monday through Friday, and got burned out? If so, I feel sorry for her. She doesn’t realize taht there’s certainly time for a personal life in the evenings as well as the weekend.
Besides, if you want your personal life to take priority, then you make it a priority. When your job is so busy that it threatens to overwhelm your personal life, you need to start making conscious decisions to set a boundary and limit its effect on your personal time. I suppose some would view it as a career-killing move, but on the whole I think it would save your sanity. And isn’t that more important?