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Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

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Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

#1

Post by ReaperOfCode »

The best article I can find is a bit outdated. Is there more progressive thinking in tech on this subject ? http://www.forbes.com/sites/lizryan/2016/02/07/the-truth-about-wasting-time-at-work/#7f73c8571285

My thinking is if someone doesn't have to get up for smoke breaks they could be more productive.

Re: Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

#3

Post by ReaperOfCode »

jacalata wrote: post #2

An office that is worried about the productivity loss of smoke breaks is run by idiots.

Please explain ? If you think about it, if someone goes away from their desk for 5mins (conservative estimate) 10 times a day (given not everyone goes that often) that is almost 10% of their day "wasted".

It's also relevant to more than just productivity, e.g. a receptionist leaving the phones unattended.

Re: Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

#5

Post by herbst »

ReaperOfCode wrote: post #3
jacalata wrote: post #2

An office that is worried about the productivity loss of smoke breaks is run by idiots.

Please explain ? If you think about it, if someone goes away from their desk for 5mins (conservative estimate) 10 times a day (given not everyone goes that often) that is almost 10% of their day "wasted". It's also relevant to more than just productivity, e.g. a receptionist leaving the phones unattended.

10 times a day? O.o I dont know where i read that, but isnt it assumed that we (IT specialists) are productive about 60% of our work time?

Re: Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

#7

Post by ReaperOfCode »

herbst wrote: post #5
ReaperOfCode wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please explain ? If you think about it, if someone goes away from their desk for 5mins (conservative estimate) 10 times a day (given not everyone goes that often) that is almost 10% of their day "wasted". It's also relevant to more than just productivity, e.g. a receptionist leaving the phones unattended.

10 times a day? O.o I dont know where i read that, but isnt it assumed that we (IT specialists) are productive about 60% of our work time?

Agreed realistically there will always things that limit your productive time, and that's normal, although management will try to push against that. The question is from a company policy point of view. E.g. new policy "Employees are allowed 3 smoke breaks a day , or they may use an e-sig at their desk."

Re: Should E-cigarettes be allowed in the office?

#10

Post by lmilcin »

ReaperOfCode wrote: post #3
jacalata wrote: post #2

An office that is worried about the productivity loss of smoke breaks is run by idiots.

Please explain ? If you think about it, if someone goes away from their desk for 5mins (conservative estimate) 10 times a day (given not everyone goes that often) that is almost 10% of their day "wasted". It's also relevant to more than just productivity, e.g. a receptionist leaving the phones unattended.

It's only "wasted" if you can show that they would have done more if they didn't spent those 10% on breaks.

The reality is that most people don't do more by skipping their breaks. They just start working more slowly or their minds drift away. This is more true for people doing creative jobs which is more and more people every year.

I'm software developer solving relatively difficult problems, I can really focus maybe 2-3 hours every day on real work. I spend the rest trying to do mundane stuff, learn things, talk to people, etc.

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