Many UK Electronics engineers are doing nothing at work

[Bassman59]

In the land of 20 minute+ compilations I have a lot of spare time. Software sucks. Or does it?

I wish the FPGA tools would blink or do something obvious to show that they're actually running. Otherwise people think I'm not doing anything.

[cdev]

If they let them all spend some of their time (typically 20% in the US companies that do this, so one day out of the week, or its equivalent) doing projects of their own choosing for their local communities, or for their own or others education, I bet they all would be a lot happier and healthier. Groups can do things together, not just individuals.

Engineers could do a lot in their local communities. Mentoring young people on projects that teach engineering skills, is another thing they could do.

I've worked in two different organizations that did this, and its a very positive thing.

Google does it. Generally, companies with a lot of exposure to research and academia tend to be the ones most likely to do it.

Another thing thats very powerfully positive is for people in a group to share more about what they are doing particularly what challenges are stumping them in regular meetings every week or so, that creates a lot of shared knowledge in a team about what other people are doing so that if one of the members comes across something of interest to somebody else they know they could use it so they share it.

This only works in functional organizations that are actually doing things, I don't see it working if people were not actually doing any work, frankly Ive never been employed in a company that didn't have work to give me.

Web devs actually are the happiest when they are automating things so they need a steady flow of new challenges to automate themselves out of having to do.

[floobydust]

I didn't work at one company I worked for. They tried the "google" thing too.

You were expected to keep the same workload and meet schedules that assumed a 40 hr workweek, even though you had lost 20% time at 32 hrs. So it added stress to everyone, which kills creativity.

The time you had to "innovate" and try things- had no financial support, you could not purchase a dev board or make a prototype. Pursuit of any ideas basically had to be done at zero cost. It all hinged on the employee getting enthused and working extra hours for free.

One day per week is not enough time to really get much done. It's 5X longer for you to finish anything.

Eventually it was abandoned, management had no patience and too dumb to realize they were choking it.

[cdev]

Google didn't invent it, it existed before there was a Google.

[coppice]

Google didn't invent it, it existed before there was a Google.

The great exponents of giving people free time at work to do things that interested them was Bell Labs. This lead to both a Nobel prize for Bell Labs staff, and some highly profitable technology like zone refining. I remember a very interesting talk with the head of Bell Labs on this topic, where he said that even some of the slackers eventually got inspired to work hard on some idea they had, and ended up generating a lot of money.

[rstofer]

In the land of 20 minute+ compilations I have a lot of spare time. Software sucks. Or does it?

I wish the FPGA tools would blink or do something obvious to show that they're actually running. Otherwise people think I'm not doing anything.

Let the tool run in the background and put some bogus count down timer on the screen.  There may be a couple of reactions...

[Simon]

Well I tend to spend free time on my own projects or learning which then has an impact for my employer. I also do this the other way around, I have picked a new µC for my next iteration of the project and yes they will pay me to learn to use the chip i want to use - in my own projects too. Fairs, fair, the last iteration of the project was coded in great part from stuff I had written in my own time.

[cdev]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?


Tons of research has shown that people are much more productive if they get a short rest around midday. Optimum time is likely less than an hour. Even a short nap is really helpful for creativity.

Many businesses in many countries shut down for a few hours around midday, and resume a bit later, not just for lunch, also for the 'siesta' (nap).

si·es·ta

/sēˈestə/
noun
noun: siesta; plural noun: siestas

    an afternoon rest or nap, especially one taken during the hottest hours of the day in a hot climate.
    synonyms:   afternoon sleep, nap, catnap, doze, rest, power nap

Taking a siesta is SOP in a large chunk of the world but the masochistic English-speaking countries have been noted for being resistant to the logic of it.

[Simon]

We have a guy that sleeps at will. He can hardly see anymore and will retire soon.....

[Zero999]

If I'm ever tired, which is rare nowadays, I normally find myself going to sleep a bit later than mid day, normally about 3 or 4, depending on whether it's daylight saving time or not.

I think most people don't like the idea of a nap at midday because they'll have to start or finish the working day an extra hour or so earlier or later.

Personally I find the opposite helps me: I go for a short, fast bicycle ride, just before I eat lunch. It helps me relieve my stress and feel energised for the rest of the day. I think lack of exercise is a big reason for the lack of productivity in the west.

[Simon]

Oh it's the fast bit that had you off then

[mnementh]

Looking at all these posts during working hours I guess Treez was right afterall   

Yes, I don't think Simon should have banned him. He was entertaining and I miss him. Besides, who else is going to make everyone feel good about themselves by thanking all their posts?

I think EVERYBODY needs to thank Hero's post so he feels better. 

mnem
*agitating-ily*

[Ice-Tea]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?

Have a look at Taiwan offices around noon. Lights go out, heads go down, 30 mins "sleep", lights go on.

First time you see it it's like  next time it's like 

[coppice]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?

Have a look at Taiwan offices around noon. Lights go out, heads go down, 30 mins "sleep", lights go on.

First time you see it it's like  next time it's like 

Apart from the multi-nationals that's generally the practice across both Taiwan and Mainland China. In some places its an hour.

[Simon]

Yep. I would love a 30 minute nap after lunch at work.

[bd139]

I do that sometimes. As I'm getting older it is becoming involuntary though 

[Ice-Tea]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?

Have a look at Taiwan offices around noon. Lights go out, heads go down, 30 mins "sleep", lights go on.

First time you see it it's like  next time it's like 

Apart from the multi-nationals that's generally the practice across both Taiwan and Mainland China. In some places its an hour.

Was in Shenzen earlier this year. None of that at the company I went to. When it was time for lunch, everyone *ran* out, after some time they *ran* back and that was it.

[CJay]

I've drifted off in my office, possibly more times than I care to admit.

I've got ~80sqM of 3rd floor corner office to myself with a secure door that can only be opened by fire alarm or facilities and have a nice, private, glass meeting room in it with some very comfy chairs.

[tggzzz]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?

Have a look at Taiwan offices around noon. Lights go out, heads go down, 30 mins "sleep", lights go on.

I've long thought that the siesta is a very sensible and productive convention.

[coppice]

Why don't they let them take a short nap at their desks around midday?

Have a look at Taiwan offices around noon. Lights go out, heads go down, 30 mins "sleep", lights go on.

First time you see it it's like  next time it's like 

Apart from the multi-nationals that's generally the practice across both Taiwan and Mainland China. In some places its an hour.

Was in Shenzen earlier this year. None of that at the company I went to. When it was time for lunch, everyone *ran* out, after some time they *ran* back and that was it.

Its may not be universal, but after visiting hundreds of places in China over the last 20 years I can tell you its pretty much the norm. Maybe the place you visited felt very "westernised", or had some foreign involvement you were not aware of.

[Wan Huang Luo]

Looking at all these posts during working hours I guess Treez was right afterall   

Yes, I don't think Simon should have banned him. He was entertaining and I miss him. Besides, who else is going to make everyone feel good about themselves by thanking all their posts?

[mnementh]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_and_Death_on_Long_Island

mnem
My associations have become rather loose of late, so I'll just be toddling off to ded now...