Man Tried To Be Efficient By Multitasking, But His Manager Issued Him A Warning For Not Looking “Busy” Enough
In a bizarre incident that highlights the absurdity of prioritizing appearances over actual productivity, an IT specialist in a hospital found himself at odds with his manager over his multitasking approach. The IT specialist, who had been trying to maximize time by juggling multiple tasks, was accused of being lazy and issued a formal warning. But what's even more astonishing is that the manager believed looking busy was more important than actually being productive.
Our story begins with a man who, in the early 2000s, landed his first proper IT job in a hospital. Due to limited funds, he had to rely on Windows XP CDs for new computer installations. He would often multitask while waiting for the computers to finish installing, such as setting up multiple machines and then heading to the help desk to take calls if they came through.
"I'd be sitting in the build room, watching bars scroll across the screen," he recalled. "Rather than just sitting there doing nothing, I'd set a few machines off and go sit on the help desk." However, his manager thought this was not enough productivity, and he was called for a disciplinary meeting without any prior warning.
During the meeting, the IT specialist explained his thought process to the HR representative and the manager. He argued that by juggling tasks like this, he was actually doing more work and making himself available to clients. But the manager wouldn't budge, insisting that looking busy was more important than being productive.
"It was 'more important to look busy than to be busy,'" she told him, according to the IT specialist. "She didn't back down, even when it meant having to hire extra help desk staff." The IT specialist's manager seemed determined to prove her worth, no matter the cost to the company or its employees.
As a result of this encounter, the hospital changed their working style during computer builds. Instead of juggling multiple tasks like the IT specialist did, all techs focused on one task at a time. This decision likely saved the company from having to hire additional help desk staff, but it also resulted in less productivity and efficiency.
Many commenters have weighed in on this story, with some supporting the IT specialist's approach and others praising the manager's commitment to her job. One commenter suggested putting such disagreements in writing to avoid future misunderstandings. Another commenter pointed out that sometimes, looking busy is more important than being actually productive – especially when it comes to meeting performance expectations.
Whether or not you agree with the IT specialist's approach, one thing is clear: prioritizing appearances over actual productivity can have serious consequences for individuals and companies alike. As we continue to navigate the complexities of work and management, it's essential to remember that efficiency and effectiveness are just as important as appearances.
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