Clock watchers aren't necessarily a bad thing
Posted 01-28-2021 at 11:56 AM by ackmondual
It is typically a negative term...
clock watcher. noun. an employee who demonstrates lack of interest in a job by watching the time closely to be sure to stop work as soon as the workday or shift is over.
However, I'd beg to differ. I'd argue that so called "clock watchers" actually respect everyone's time. They're attentive enough to come in on time. They do a full day's of work. Some of them do put in extra hours when they can.
As for as leaving right when they're supposed to..
that's business. Or lack of thereof. When they're off the clock the time is there's to do as they please. It can be mundane and "small" things like working out, cooking food, hanging out with friends, or using that extra time to stream TV/movies, play video games etc.
Some folks need to leave on time out of necessity..
They need to pick up their child from day care. They need to be on time for their carpool home. They have obligations to pick up, or meet up with family or friends. They want to catch mass transit ride that either doesn't run anymore after a certain time, or runs too sporadically after a certain time. They need to pick up their car from their shop. They need to make it to a doctor's appointment. One of my coworkers raised hell when they wanted to have a meeting at 5:30 pm, since he had an agreement with management that he gets to come in at 7am, and leave at 3pm to avoid (killer) traffic.
There should be nothing derogatory about "clock watchers". I had an interview where the nature of their job doing some sort of automation that they typically put in 50 hours a week. If a job requires over time, then it was nice of them to make that known up front.
clock watcher. noun. an employee who demonstrates lack of interest in a job by watching the time closely to be sure to stop work as soon as the workday or shift is over.
However, I'd beg to differ. I'd argue that so called "clock watchers" actually respect everyone's time. They're attentive enough to come in on time. They do a full day's of work. Some of them do put in extra hours when they can.
As for as leaving right when they're supposed to..
that's business. Or lack of thereof. When they're off the clock the time is there's to do as they please. It can be mundane and "small" things like working out, cooking food, hanging out with friends, or using that extra time to stream TV/movies, play video games etc.
Some folks need to leave on time out of necessity..
They need to pick up their child from day care. They need to be on time for their carpool home. They have obligations to pick up, or meet up with family or friends. They want to catch mass transit ride that either doesn't run anymore after a certain time, or runs too sporadically after a certain time. They need to pick up their car from their shop. They need to make it to a doctor's appointment. One of my coworkers raised hell when they wanted to have a meeting at 5:30 pm, since he had an agreement with management that he gets to come in at 7am, and leave at 3pm to avoid (killer) traffic.
There should be nothing derogatory about "clock watchers". I had an interview where the nature of their job doing some sort of automation that they typically put in 50 hours a week. If a job requires over time, then it was nice of them to make that known up front.
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