PM Asks "What kind of people do we want to be?"

[limlim]

zarahsmom:

limlim:

[quote=\"pirate\"]

On the contrary, the xenophobic voices come primarily from those in areas like IT, banking and admin - white collar workers in aircon offices. I have always been of the view that most of these office jobs can be outsourced overseas with a good corporate broadband link, and now with cloud computing...

If these jobs can be outsourced overseas (with your so-call cloud computing etc..).. why are these white collar workers NOT working from home?

Why do they need to travel to go to work?

I probably have to respond to this as I am one of those who could work from home technically but prefer to be in the office for a few reasons[/quote]The point is, not everyone have a choice.

[zarahsmom]

could’nt agree more, but with choice comes also greater responsibility. If you were given the choice to WFH like I do, you will also have to be given the responsibility to manage your time well (which obviously I can’t do if my daughter is always visible to me-- I would always drop anything for her-- if i can get away with it).


it also goes without saying that some tasks really requires you to be in the office instead of WFH. i guess the question then is what kind of task can you effectively do at home and what not? what kind of worker do you want to be? then what are the steps you are going to do to get there (regardless of circumstances).

(yeah… its the inherent HR person in me…I tend to interview people wherever I go…)

[limlim]

I would say, for my job, I could do 50% of the work at home… and maybe just need to go to office, say 1~2 days per week, or when required.


However, my company don’t have such practice or option. Or they do not trust employees well enough.

[zarahsmom]

limlim:

I would say, for my job, I could do 50% of the work at home.. and maybe just need to go to office, say 1~2 days per week, or when required.


However, my company don't have such practice or option. Or they do not trust employees well enough.

you could probably try to influence changes in policy to allow WFH, if you genuinely think that 50% of your tasks can be done effectively from home and that you dont mind the extra internet/electricity bills in exchange for savings on travel cost/time. just some effort to prove $$ dollars savings though.. and some proding to do.. and you might also have to expect that your efforts would probably come into frution once you are ready to move on to another company.. who knows someone else made an effort in the new company you would be working for to change the policy (sounds simplistic right)..

my point here is that.. if WFH policy is acceptable to my employer now..that policy did not spring into a document without someone's effort to make the need so obvious to senior leaders, that senior leaders see the change to the policies.. then once it is in paper, comes the need for change in mindset.. policies being in paper, does not mean line managers will be agreeable to it at the first instance...

somebody much much into the game before my generation in this company, planted the seeds, and then our generation is enjoying the fruits..

however, not all of us want the same fruit eh?

in my case, I will only WFH if the meetings are scheduled either wee hours in the morning or at night.. if not, then I would rather work in the office.. and get free coffee, biscuits and milo from the office pantry and also catch up on latest coffee chats...

[limlim]

zarahsmom:

however, not all of us want the same fruit eh?

I hate the peak hour crowd.. I hate waiting for the bus/trains..

No traveling = more rest.

[janet88]

Off-peak used to be off peak…enjoyable for SAHMs to go out for some shopping. But now, everywhere seems to be packed most of the time.

[Funz]

janet_lee88:

Off-peak used to be off peak...enjoyable for SAHMs to go out for some shopping. But now, everywhere seems to be packed most of the time.

Still quite ok lah. I am one who shops during off peak hours and most of the time the shopping malls are rather deserted. In fact, so deserted sometimes you can't even find any service staff. :razz: I do my marketing early in the morning at 6+am on a weekday and there is no crowd at all.

Expressways are bit busier, but not much different, CTE and PIE, since as far back as I can remember have been having heavy traffic at practically any time of the day. Cannot comment much on public transport since I don't use much of that.

[janet88]

Singapore needs more gracious people.


People are getting rude, impatient and lack manners.
The other day while queuing to buy some tidbits, a middle-aged woman in front of me chastised the stall owner for making her wait, told the young chap to give her first. The guy told her nicely she would have to wait bcos there is someone before her. Everyone queuing, including people older than her had to wait…but she refused to.

Educated people like Amy Cheong should be dismissed. Spouting expletives is uncalled for.

[concern2]

It is a very repressive society that we are living in. People have many frustrations and very few outlets. The more crowded the society and living environment, the worse it is. Everyone must behave in a way that conforms with what is deem acceptable by the majority. Whilst I agree that people need to keep their temperaments in check, I also empathize some of the outbursts, not to mention the worse cases of suicides and people getting sick - psychologically and mentally.