Even the weekend was not enough to recuperate. So it was with much hesitance that I woke up Monday morning. I had in mind to run some errands too, plus there were a few late evening calls I had to take. So it made sense to go in a bit later.
In principal I had already gotten approval from my boss about me managing my own working hours. Dealing with various regions concurrently means we'd have 7am calls with US, 11pm calls with the UK and many others in between.
I don't think the rest of the IT dept is aware what kind of work we do, so they tend to be surprised when I go in late. They are so punctual that most come in before 9am. On the days when I have my early morning calls or the night before for late night calls, I would go in a bit later.
However, because Kansai people are more straightforward with their comments compared to Tokyo-ites, I have managed to get some direct feedback more easily here. Like when I came in during lunch time Monday, one of the IT managers asked if I was late.
I had to explain to him about the work I did, and the hours it entailed. Now, I personally don't think I need to explain my flexi working hours to everyone who gives me a look for coming "late", or even making a comment about my "tardiness".
In Malaysia, people would think that you're trying to boast about your work, but here, there is a common perception that work starts and ends at a certain time, and you are supposed to be where you are for work. which is your designated seating place.
If flexi hours are alien to them, imagine the work-from-home concept. No wonder I'm taking more tea these days. This pack of calming tea from Ms Barbie has been most helpful on occasions like this!
3 comments:
Parts and parcel of working for a jp company la. I still remember the admin lady asked to change my time sheet from 9:00 am to 9:10am when the system shows I passed the gate at 9:01am that day. Lala
I learnt you don't need to be seen (at your desk) to be effective. As long as everyone understand the task and deadline and you must deliver, you can do it anywhere and anytime you like. Also you need to be contactable during work hour. We are living in the era where we need to get the technology to help us in doing our job. There is no point being seen at work ( aka sitting at your desk) and you can't deliver. However, there are times that self presence is important to remind ppl that you exist :), so we just need to show our face and speak out at the 'right time' :)
lala : haha i can imagine that being implemented here! i must've driven our hr mad with my questions about the timesheet!
SiowLan-Ally : :) i'm glad my immediate boss and the CIO are quite open-minded. i personally feel less stressed going in at my own hours and i get more done that way, especially when i'm not a morning person. at the end of the day, as long as you deliver, that should count more than how many hours you are seen at your desk ne~
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