So I’m sitting here watching Undercover Boss and just had an epiphany. Well I guess it’s not an epiphany in the truest sense, but it sort of reaffirms a disposition that I’ve more or less gradually built-up. I guess you could say that the epiphany is that I’ve realized my disposition is the correct one, without a doubt.
Earlier this week at work, there was an all-IT employee meeting with the CIO. It was a standard meeting overall – mostly just updates on what different groups are doing, yadda yadda yadda. But a couple of things happened that really struck me.
First, it started off as a discussion of technology allowing us to do our jobs more effectively and transitioned into an example where she had to drop her father off at the airport since his visa wasn’t renewed or something, so she needed to say bye since she wouldn’t see him for awhile. But during this, she was supposed to be in some conference calls so used technology to be able to handle her job responsibilities.
Totally fine – I get it. She’s at a very high level and I’m sure there’s a lot of stuff going on that she needs to participate in. But on the other hand… it’s her father leaving the country. It made me wonder if I’d want to be in that spot to have to attend to work issues all the time.
Then someone asked a question to the effect of “why would we be expected to respond to work requests while on personal vacations?” First, I didn’t know that we were and I frankly do not known many people who do, other than manager types Second, the response really got to me. It was something like “well, why would you be expected to answer a call from you family while at work – it’s the same thing.” Yikes… I disagree. I know this can be highly subjective, but for me personally, work and family are just not on the same plane of importance.
So tonight I’m sitting here watching the CEO of Chiquita talking about who he is and what he does, while his wife talks about how much he works. He then wistfully ponders all the time he’s missed with his family, especially with his sons who are grown now and it’s all time he can’t get back. They’re sitting in their mansion during this interview, pictures of their world travels ( dad holding a cell phone up to his ear in some photos…), talking about his sacrifices for what they have.
My only thought while watching this is “holy shit.” I can’t believe people are willing to give up spending time with their kids, attending plays or games or whatever, in exchange for a high salary. I can’t believe people are willing to always be “on,” having to worry about their work constantly, in exchange for a prestigious title.
All I know is that I don’t want that. Not saying the job isn’t important – not at all. If you are at work, you should be focused on working and your work responsibilities. But it isn’t your life. It isn’t your priority. I want to be able to go home for the night and have “me” time, without having to reply to emails or phone calls.
It just seems like the more I think about it, the less desirable a management-type position. I don’t know…maybe it’s because I’m a woman, but I really doubt that even if I were a man that I’d want that. My dad worked constantly, 60,70, 80 hours a week or more, and for what? To miss his kids grow up?
