The issue with BlackBerry’s
The Globe and Mail recently published an article mentioning that the usage of BlackBerry’s is becoming the new hot-button labour issue stating:
“In a move that could strike fear in the hearts of employers, a union representing government workers said this week that it was making the use of pocket-size electronic devices such as BlackBerry’s a bargaining issue. For some people, having a BlackBerry is like: We own you. You are our person, 24 hours, 7 days a week,” said Ed Cashman, Public Service Alliance of Canada’s regional executive vice-president for the National Capital Region, who says the union will insert the issue of BlackBerry use into its continuing contract negotiations. “Our members are running into situations where they’re not compensated properly for having to do work at home. The government should pay its employees for work they do out of the office,” Mr. Cashman said.
Read the full article here: BlackBerry: The New Hot Button Labour Issue
Source: Globe and Mail, April 30, 2008, by Hayley Mick
What do you think of Crack…er BlackBerry’s? Do you think they afford you more flexibility with your work, allowing you to read and respond to e-mails while you commute on the bus or train? (not while driving of course – you wouldn’t do that!) Or do you think of them as a curse because you can’t help but check them all the time?
Do you think BlackBerry’s have created a new work culture where there is no such thing as a weekend free of e-mailing? Or do you think it is up to the individual to have the willpower to not check e-mails every hour of every day? Do you think that employers should be responsible for compensation if you decide to check your e-mail outside of regular business hours?
With growing concern over legal issues surrounding the use of BlackBerry-based overtime on the horizon, consider creating a policy to deal with it before a problem arises.
If you are an employer or manager and believe that evening and weekend e-mailing is getting out-of-control in your company, try putting down the BlackBerry and implementing a “no weekend e-mail” rule. This will give you and your employees the rest needed outside of work to be refreshed and energized for the next work day.
Every organization is different, and whatever your opinion is on BlackBerry usage, consider the above points and see if there’s anything you can do to adapt to this new trend.
~ by Brenda Maloney
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