Workplace Doctor: Culture of presenteeism frustrates tech-savvy millennial

Millennial worker may have to accept that presenteeism over remote working comes with the job.

I am starting out in my career and am currently 12 months into my first job. One of the things I am struggling with is this notion of "presenteeism". I am expected to be in the office, even if I have meetings all day in another emirate. I'm part of the tech-enabled generation who have no issue with remote working, so how do I persuade my boss that I don't have to be in the office all the time to be productive? SO, Dubai

As a tech-enabled Gen Y, I can see how you find the concept of being physically “present” at work a challenge. Millennials like ourselves value working with a wide network of peers and colleagues wherever we are in the UAE or worldwide. For us it is all about feeling connected.

We don’t respond well to being controlled and instead seek autonomy over where and how we work. Therefore it can be restricting and even suffocating to operate in a traditional corporate environment where your boss and the organisation want you show up, even if we see no real value in doing so.

Firstly, it is important to understand that this discrepancy in perspectives is driven by a fundamental difference in the approach to work between these two generations and how each sees the most productive way of staying connected. Millennial workers entered the workforce already tech-savvy and are constantly communicating with colleagues through our mobile devices. Even emails are becoming old hat with large global companies communicating through Snapchat or project teams sharing ideas via WhatsApp.

Baby boomers, on the other hand, build their relationships at work over time by being present, showing up and putting face time in the office. They remain connected to each other by picking up the phone, seeing someone at their desk and popping into someone’s office for a coffee and a chat.

Unfortunately, these different generational perspectives can clash. It also comes down to a distinctly opposing view on how connectivity contributes to productivity. Think of it as two people from very different national cultures being asked to work together without fully understanding each other.

Your boss may see you as being productive only when you are there, whereas you want to manage your time effectively and work remotely. I would understand your boss’s perspective if you were only three months into the job, as face time is key to building up your credibility and socialising your way into the organisation. However, if you are supposed to be in meetings, then feeling obliged to orient yourself back into the office seems pointless.

It appears your manager has a more “hands on” management style and this may be what feels constraining. The culture of the organisation may also be one where people get ahead by turning up. So you must consider whether this type of organisational culture is for you.

Equally, how can you persuade your boss that being present and productive can take many shapes and forms? Firstly, appreciate they will always have a different view and you may have to adjust your approach slightly. Make the most of the time you spend in the office, connecting with people face to face, seeking information and asking lots of questions. On the other hand, when you are out of the office keep your boss updated and connected to your achievements. Demonstrate how a combination of both approaches yields results.

Finally, there are some challenges to flexible, remote working. For me the most significant is that it erodes the opportunity for informal, creative and untimed conversations that tend to arise naturally when you are found in the office. Why do you think some of the world’s most innovative companies create fantastic office spaces with a variety of practical and social amenities? So with everything being said about the benefits of working flexibly, keep in mind the value of physically being present.

Doctor’s prescription

Coming to the workplace with a different mindset around what contributes to productivity to your boss will require both sides to adapt. Yet as a new starter, the flex will need to start with you. So show up and be present, but when you are out of the office, convey how technology helps rather than hinders your productivity.

Alex Davda is a business psychologist and client director at Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School, and is based in the Middle East. Email him at [e-mail] for advice on any work issues.

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