Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong by FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Workplace sociology keeps getting more and more interesting. With the new ways of working that technology has brought us, there are now new labels to consider. Integrator, separator and job warrior are three terms described in The Wall Street Journal online article entitled, “Late -Night Work Email: Blessing or Curse?“
These terms aptly reflect their meaning. An integrator is adept at weaving a personal and professional life so one flows into the other, by conducting business calls during leisure time, leaving work early for a family commitment and working en route. This would include those lucky enough to build a career from their passion. The separator is more of the work hard/play hard type. Work is work and play is play, aka nine-to-five. The job warrior stresses about volleying back and forth between home and work. That was me many years ago.
Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong by FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Now I would say the label of integrator is more fitting for me. Working from home affords me the luxury of being able to talk to my son when he calls during the workday, without getting the evil eye, and also being able to work late at night when I sometimes feel more effective or need to catch up.
One of the interesting points that Sue Shellenbarger raises in this article is how this throws yet another wrench into the dynamics of corporate life. There has always been bantering and bitching among office staff about who works too hard or not enough, who is “teacher’s pet” and who takes long lunches. Now, the subject matter is not whether or not someone is really working but how they’re working.
Just like any other label, there is always the risk of discrimination. Integrators and separators can be at odds, one thinking they are better than the other and some being shunned from the workplace if the office culture is not aligned with their way of working. This is something to consider when interviewing and being interviewed. Different working behaviors may not impact productivity but may work favorably or not in terms of fitting into the organization, gaining respect and being able to exert influence.
This can also put people on the defensive. Once I was at a writing conference and of course most of the participants worked from home. I asked a question that somehow was misinterpreted as disrespect for home-based professionals. I took a bit of a lashing. I never intended to insult anyone, but I understand the reaction. I work from home and find I am especially diligent about being accessible, being on time for teleconferences and completing work ahead of deadlines. I consciously stay aware that resentment and suspicion is out there, and I want to mitigate the risk of being forced to return to job warrior mode because a separator does not appreciate my ability to integrate.
What’s really wonderful about this new working culture is that we have choices. Nine-to-five is still an option but not the only one. The hard part is the dilemma that exists in society as a whole: accepting each other’s differences.
Very interesting to read. I was definitely a job warrior before I shifted to writing. Always felt torn between two worlds. It’s much better now though.
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Yes, such an accurate term. I always felt like I was fighting, mostly with myself, feeling like I wasn’t giving my best in either world.
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This is an ongoing debate in today’s corporate world. In certain situations, people working from home pose the problem not in what they CAN do (remotely) but what they CANNOT (spontaneous response to something that comes up in the office). Anyway, the ‘integrator’ worker is definitely here to stay and offers more benefits than disadvantages.
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It is indeed an ongoing debate and a prolonged one too. Then again, there has been a mammoth shift in work culture over a relatively short span of time, so we’re all still adjusting. I don’t necessarily agree that remote workers cannot respond spontaneously. It depends on the tools the company provides. My company uses Skype for Business enabling people to connect instantly. Issues arise when people do not use communication tools effectively, but that is an issue when employees collocate well.
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I’m not able to work from home, but the idea is certainly appealing. I love seeing many of my co-workers and think of them as friends, but when it comes to getting work done, I much prefer to work in relative isolation, where I can concentrate and experience fewer disruptions.
My concern is the gray line between work and home. My work is not my passion, and oftentimes work starts to creep into my personal life, depriving me of the time and energy to write. I’m self-motivated, and I worry that if I worked from home, I’d be tempted to log in and respond to after-hours e-mails, or complete one more memo before going to bed.
When I leave the office, I’m truly on “me” time, where I can blog, journal, and pursue my passion of writing. I don’t check in on work because I simply don’t have the ability.
So that’s my main fear. My supervisors answer e-mails at 2 a.m., and they’re always plugged in to the corporate world. I couldn’t live like that, and I worry that even though technology is improving the way we work, it’s also sucking us into a 24-hour corporate cycle, where we always have to remain “on call” if we want to be perceived as ambitious and driven.
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All very valid points. Another perspective is that just as work can spill over into personal time, the reverse is also true. During the workday, I have the leeway to respond to a comment on my blog, throw in a load of laundry or take a personal call in privacyha
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Didn’t get to finish that last comment – accidentally hit Reply.
I wanted to say: However, this only works if I meet my deadlines and am available during business hours. I agree with your comment about execs seeming to never cut off. I’m not that high up on the totem pole😌
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That’s a good point, and it’s those little things you mentioned that help improve the work-life balance. In a 9-to-5 situation, you’re completely consumed by the corporate culture, and you have to squeeze in the little things on your own time. It’s definitely better when the two worlds can blend, because sometimes life can’t be put aside for work, like when you have a relative in the hospital. As long as there’s an equal balance, then all is good. My only fear is the work side slowly creeping over to the personal side, which I’ve had happen to me on occasion. I need to be able to draw an unmistakable line in the sand and say “No! Me time!”
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Ha — I can definitely relate to that. I’m not sure if it’s ironic, but I suppose the best thing for my career — and especially my work-life balance — is that I’m never going anywhere. If I did get a higher position, then I imagine I’d have to give up even more of my personal writing time, and there’s precious little enough of that as there is.
If promotions come with the expectation of being plugged in 24-7, then I’d rather remain unrecognized and unappreciated. 😀
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