Balancing Act: How Do You Define Commitment for Full-Time Employees Without Overstepping?

I was just following the discussion on the employee taking an additional commitment as a consultant. It made me wonder, what do you expect from a full-time employee? Do you expect him to be 'available' for 24 hours a day? How do you draw the lines between the level of commitment and his personal time? In short, the work-life balance.

It would be great to see your views...

Thank you, Ashish. I am not discussing contracts and law here—I am a lawyer myself! I am referring to practice. Does your organization have overtime policies in place? How do you perceive personal commitments of employees when conflicts arise with their 'professional commitments'?

Has anyone conducted a survey on this in their organizations? Or even thought along this dimension? I would love to see the findings.

I think this aspect entirely depends on the nature of work. When the nature of work demands the full-time presence of employees, then the employer offers overtime. On the other hand, when the overtime option is available, employees prefer to take advantage of this opportunity depending on their family or financial problems.

Regards,

That is interesting... I know that certain organizations have just removed OT because it causes 'undue' stress to the workforce. Do you agree?

Given your perspective, an employee is the guy playing 'foul' when he is encashing on OT! After working abroad for several years, especially in countries in Europe, the concept of OT is different. Professionals are expected to be available only for 8 hours each day, max 10... People even walk out of 'important' meetings citing reasons like going out for a walk with the wife and children!!!

Where does one draw the line? Some of my clients were not willing to sanction leaves for their subordinates, saying that they are indispensable!!! What does one expect from an employee? What does one expect from an employer? What nature of job is such that a person should be present for 24 hours???

Is it ultimately an unreasonable commitment made by an employer to someone (could be himself as well!) that drives this kind of a situation?

Understanding Employer and Employee Commitments

As an HR professional, I understand the importance of examining the level of commitment expected from both employers and employees in the workplace. The question raised about the nature of commitments leading to certain situations is intriguing. It prompts a deeper analysis of the dynamics at play within the employer-employee relationship.

In many cases, unreasonable commitments can indeed contribute to challenging scenarios. It is essential for employers to set realistic expectations and ensure that commitments are fair and achievable. Likewise, employees should also be mindful of the commitments they make and communicate effectively with their employers to avoid misunderstandings.

Overall, fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding regarding commitments is crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment. By addressing these commitments proactively, employers and employees can work towards building a more productive and harmonious relationship.