Time You're Paying For

It was early days in my career when I wound up working for a friend. He was a good buddy, and we'd had great times together. People warned me that working for a friend was not the best idea. It wasn't that I didn't listen - while I acknowledged the possible pitfalls, I had simply decided to take my chances, and let the dice fall where they may.

Working for him was a mixed bag - we still hung out, we had great synergy where generating ideas was concerned, and we genuinely enjoyed each other's company. There were moments of friction, of course, but nothing to worry about.

Until one time, on a Sunday. He had asked another buddy and I to help him fix some Ikea DIY furniture in the office, as a personal favor. But he had forgotten to bring the tools, so there was a bit of delay while we journeyed to his home to grab them.

Me: We're wasting time here...

Him: I'm wasting his time. Yours, I'm paying for. So it doesn't matter for you.

Notwithstanding that it was a Sunday, I let that one go. What was a bit of ribbing between friends?

Then it happened again.

There was an argument that resulted because I had been holding on to one available set of keys to the office when I went out for a quick late night bite while putting in some extra hours. He had been counting on the office being open when he arrived, and was annoyed that he had to drive down to where I was, to get those keys. Next day, he brought the issue up.

Me: You could have saved yourself a lot of time and trouble by bringing your own keys, you know.

Him: I'm paying for your time, and you're not paying for mine. Therefore, my time's more important than yours.

Again, he meant it as a cheeky remark, but it stung. And it was probably at this moment that I found myself not wanting to work for this guy anymore.

Paying for time.

Sure, we were friends. And as friends who happened to share an employer-employee relationship, there were things we said to each other on a daily basis that would be anathema to most other relationships of this ilk. But he had, perhaps unwittingly, crossed a line for me. I am a professional. People pay for my time, my service and my expertise. And if you do not respect my time, you do not respect me. And if you are paying for my time and fail to respect my time, on some level, you fail to respect yourself. It was a flippant and irresponsible remark to make.

Years later, I was working for someone else. I was on holiday in Malaysia, high up in the misty mountains of Genting. My companion (old flame, long story) had gone to try her luck in her casino and I was chilling (quite literally, brrr) at the Starbucks cafe taking advantage of free WiFi over a steaming mug of hazelnut coffee, when I decided to log on to MSN Messenger and update my boss over the status of some project.

Me: So the interface is done. The new features they're asking for are also done, but I haven't activated them yet. So if they want it right away, all you need to do is set that flag in the database.

Him: Yep. Aren't you supposed to be on holiday?

Me: Yes.

Him: Then I don't want to hear from you till you get back.

That contrast in attitude really hit home for me. This boss wasn't my friend. But he knew to respect the time of his employees. It was then I knew my choice was justified.

Employees have lives outside of the office. And any employer who fails to appreciate that, isn't worth doggy-doo.

Thanks for your time,
T___T