09-07-2006, 01:00 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
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I Feel A Worker's Comp Claim Coming On
http://ur.rutgers.edu/medrel/viewArticle.html?ArticleID=5284
"Technology keeps workers connected 24/7. If that sounds like an employer�s dream come true, think again: according to a Rutgers University�Camden researcher, employers who encourage non-stop work connections via technology may wind up with liability for encouraging addiction among their staff. According to Gayle Porter, an associate professor of management at the Rutgers University School of Business at Camden, the fast and relentless pace of technology-enhanced work environments creates a source of stimulation that may become addictive. While addiction to work has been a widespread phenomenon for some time, the Rutgers-Camden scholar suggests that employers may face legal liability for these addictions."
I am not sure addiction is the right word. I know that I don't go anywhere without my K-Jam, and I mean anywhere, but it is because it is such a useful device. Music, ooodles of reading material, from the bible to ebooks to those full RSS feeds given to us by truly blessed people instead of those infernal snippits, games, internet access, email, my to do lists, reference material, etc. What am I telling you for? You know what these things do.
But that isn't an addiction is it? I mean, I could leave it on my desk when I go to get the mail, which is all of the way at the end of my 2 car length driveway, but why should I? I might need to send an SMS on the way, or CNN might fire off an alert that Osama has recorded another video. Clearly this is not addictive behavior. It isn't like I shake or even twitch much when my device is not handy.
And yes, it is on my nightstand while I sleep, but it is muted. Someone that is addicted wouldn't be able to mute the volume. :helpme:
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09-07-2006, 01:24 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 378
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Worker's Comp
Thar was an accurate discription of me. I mentioned before that I don't need magazines in the john anymore and my pajamas must have a pocket.
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09-07-2006, 01:54 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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On no... I just realized I don't mute mine at night....
It is amusing that you posted this just hours after I had a conversation with my wife in which I admitted my addiction. Of course I don't plan on progressing past admitting it to any of the other steps on the road to recovery. I'm a functional PDA-holic, and happy that way. Besides, I don't blow my money on alcohol, cigarettes, or a mistress, so why not have a PPC vice?
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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09-07-2006, 02:53 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 165
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Legal liability for addictions? You have got to be kidding me! :lol: Suing someone for giving you something you like? What is this country coming to? I guess we need to include everything we derive pleasure from at work in that list, then, including bonuses and raises.
I remember getting introduced to sushi by our CEO. Ever since then, I look for any excuse I can to stop at the nearest sushi bar. Am I going to sue him for it? Don't think so!
That article has to be one of the most ridiculous things anyone has ever written up. No wonder so many lawyers are getting rich. :roll:
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09-07-2006, 02:56 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,111
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I'm thinking of grafting my PDA under the skin of left arm -does that qualify as an addiction? I'm not addicted...I'm attached.
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"A planner is a gentle man, with neither sword nor pistol.
He walks along most daintily, because his balls are crystal."
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09-07-2006, 03:17 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by signothefish
Legal liability for addictions? You have got to be kidding me! :lol: Suing someone for giving you something you like? What is this country coming to? I guess we need to include everything we derive pleasure from at work in that list, then, including bonuses and raises.
I remember getting introduced to sushi by our CEO. Ever since then, I look for any excuse I can to stop at the nearest sushi bar. Am I going to sue him for it? Don't think so!
That article has to be one of the most ridiculous things anyone has ever written up. No wonder so many lawyers are getting rich. :roll:
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i heard about this story a few days ago on CNBC. employees can sue their employer for their addition to Blackberry! WTF! so is mean u can sue your EX gf or EX bf for addition to sex?
also, "Technology keeps workers connected 24/7. If that sounds like an employer�s dream come true, think again: according to a Rutgers University�Camden researcher, employers who encourage non-stop work connections via technology may wind up with liability for encouraging addiction among their staff"
PLEASE some1 take away those cracks those fools is smoking!
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09-07-2006, 03:19 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 92
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but seriously...
Okay, I realize you're being tongue-in-cheek here, but I think this is a serious issue, at least it's serious for me. I work in IT and am obligated to wear a cell phone/leash 24x7x365, have broadband access at home and "frequently" check email. I obviously don't appreciate the calls that come through at 3am on a Sunday morning, but I've gotten into the habit of being 'always on'. Email, blogging, surfing, and just generally wasting time with my laptop and PDA - it's often the first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before going to sleep. Pretty sad. Though I don't suffer any physical ailments from this (other than an occasional sleep debt) I've come to realize that my life suffers because of this ubiquitous connection. It's like TV is for a lot of people - it just sucks away massive amounts of time that could be otherwise invested in much more meaningful activities - family, friends, creative pursuits, what have you. Everybody makes their own decisions about this kind of thing - I work with a couple of guys who literally have no life outside of work and they seem to like it that way. All I'm suggesting is to consider the price this technology may be exacting from you. It's not always obvious.
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09-07-2006, 03:34 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 143
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Re: but seriously...
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Originally Posted by capo
Okay, I realize you're being tongue-in-cheek here, but I think this is a serious issue, at least it's serious for me. I work in IT and am obligated to wear a cell phone/leash 24x7x365, have broadband access at home and "frequently" check email.
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no, you not "obligated" to anything! this job requires wearing cellphone/leash 24/7. if u dont like it, quit! and get another job.
but dont blames others for your problems!
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09-07-2006, 03:47 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Re: but seriously...
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Originally Posted by netboy
Quote:
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Originally Posted by capo
Okay, I realize you're being tongue-in-cheek here, but I think this is a serious issue, at least it's serious for me. I work in IT and am obligated to wear a cell phone/leash 24x7x365, have broadband access at home and "frequently" check email.
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no, you not "obligated" to anything! this job requires wearing cellphone/leash 24/7. if u dont like it, quit! and get another job.
but dont blames others for your problems! |
Of course this assumes that Capo is capable of taking potentially months off of work to secure a new position, and that the new position pays as much as the old position did or has other benefits. Assuming that Capo is in a place in IT that requires him to be "On" all the time, then I highly doubt that the next place he'd work wouldn't require him to be always On (Or if they did, it would most likely be in a lower position). Typically the higher you are in IT the more availability you must give, so he probably only has 2 options: Take a lower paying position or switch careers. One will most likely hurt in many different ways and the other will require a ton of cash to get off the ground (i.e. schooling, training, etc..).
The short of it: Yes, he could get another job, however I think the way in which you wrote your post implies that it would be a simple thing for him to do, which I do not believe is accurate 
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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09-07-2006, 03:49 PM
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Executive Editor, Android Thoughts
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,233
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Nurhisham Hussein
I'm thinking of grafting my PDA under the skin of left arm -does that qualify as an addiction? I'm not addicted...I'm attached.
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Hmm... might make metal detectors a bit more bothersome than they already are. And I'd hate to think of what a shattered screen could feel like if you served a volleyball the wrong way.... 
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Dr. Jon Westfall, MCSE, MS-MVP
Executive Editor - Android Thoughts
News Editor - Windows Phone Thoughts
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