Efficiency? What's that? (RANT)

[Cylenchar]

As some of you may have read in my previous posts, my work has cut hours back to 35 per week (we get benefits as long as we work at least 30). So you would think with the shortened work day, they would also cut meetings to make sure we get the work done? WRONG . I have two hours of meetings today, 2.5 tomorrow and then 2.5 on Friday. So in terms of the work I can get done, I have to do 40 hrs of work in 28 hrs this week. the temptation not to just put in my two weeks notice right now, or just walk out right now is killing me. What really frusstrates me is some of these meetings are about NOTHING, literally, I have one today where they want us each to talk about our hobbies, pets, ect, and why we like working here*bangs head on desk*

[Scanner]

My wife complains about the meetings she has. . .it can occupy half of her workday or more. She is middle management but as an internal communications specialist, she has to cover what goes on at the meetings and disperse it across the system.

It's very political - you don't go and it's viewed as a snub. But why not just have minutes, is what I am thinking?

I am only a small businessperson buy you do have to wonder if corporate America isn't over-managed.

Maybe it should be like the commercial -

"Murphy - need to get collections up."

"Roger"

"Sanders - watch the office expenses and get a purchase order from everyone."

"Got it."

"Any questions? Good, let's roll out."

[PrincessPerky]

I once read an article on how to convince folk to finish meetings quicker.

It was from the standpoint of an employee, I wish I had paid more attention, but mostly I run the meetings I am in. wonder if googling efficient meetings would help?

In order to get my meetings done quick (I mostly run them) I have to keep wrenching folk back on topic. Not knowing what you do nor what position you hold I prolly am of no use.

Back when I was in a meeting or two I used to fantasize about silly things.

take minutes and fill in lots of 'repeated from last week read those minutes' or 'dead silence as mgr looked for notes' or 'review of neighbors grass cutting habits'

Or as one of my leaders does on Football Sundays "lets move on I gotta game to go to" It works

[cschin4]

I HAATTTEEEE meetings. There is nothing more boring, useless or a bigger time waster. If you are getting paid to be at them, then fine, who cares. But, if you have to meet on off the clock time, then you need to find ways to quickly move meetings along so you don't have listen to endless drones going on and on about their latest medical ailment or all other kinds of nonsense that have nothing to do with the task at hand.

[cschin4]

Since you are cutting hours, why not suggest streamlining meetings "in the name of efficiency". I can't understand why any business needs more than an occassional meeting, certainly not everyday and certainly not for more than half hour. So, try to find like minded coworkers and see if you can drum up support for this.

[snafu]

Given the job loss numbers being published, why not seek alternate employment before just walking away from 'the bird in hand.' How many hours were you working per week? 37 is median. We're seeing professional staff working one day without pay per week...that is paid 4 days working 5.

In Japan the culture has everyone working at least one day per week without pay throughout their career. In China all meetings are held after hours. It's really sneaky as you can finish at 4 p.m. but the meeting is scheduled for 6 pm. There isn't enough time to go anywhere before the start of the meeting so you work that extra hour...it's easier. There is so such thing as over-time. If you don't meet deadlines, you're gone. There are thousands of people waiting to fill your job with 1.2 billion population!

I've found asking for the agenda prior to the meeting using a sincere and positive tone... really works. How can you stay on topic if you don't prepare in advance? The perpretator needs to write key words. If attendees wander off topic, any participant can bring it back.