Marian the Librarian (#22)

Do you have a question for Marian? 
Send it to the editor, Deanna Briggs, dbriggs@copyright.com to forward to Marian.

Dear Marian,

My manager recently distributed the schedule for weekend work during the fall semester at the medium-sized academic library where I work.  I feel very frustrated because I’m working more weekend shifts than I did last year and my co-workers who have had children in the last year are working fewer.  My manager asked if I would be available for a few more shifts during the weekends, but I didn’t imagine that would mean I’d only get one weekend off per month when I used to only work one weekend per month. I can understand my managers’ desire to make things easier for staff members with young children, but I would like to have a life, too. Is this discrimination? What can I do?

Weekend Warrior

Dear Weekend Warrior,

Since I’m not a lawyer or a human resources expert, I can’t answer your question about whether the new schedule amounts to discrimination, but I can certainly respect the frustration you feel about giving up so many weekends because of your work schedule.  If you haven’t already talked to your manager since the schedule came out, you might want to do so.  It might be that simple communication can improve the situation.

Along with your job changes, I hope they are also compensating you fairly.  If it’s appropriate for you to ask for a salary increase or comp time because of increased weekend work, now could be a good opportunity to do so.

Best wishes,
Marian

Dear Marian,

I decided to buy myself a Blackberry for my own personal use a few months ago. Now that the consulting firm I work at knows I have it, they expect me to use it for work and to be in contact with them via e-mail all the time.  Because of the computer systems I work on, I am in an on-call rotation in case anything goes bad.  However, I use the company pager during those times and I feel strongly about not using a gadget I bought for myself for my work.  If my office really wants me to have a Blackberry, they should have bought me one and they should be paying for the connectivity. Right?

Doesn’t Want to Share Her Toy

Dear Doesn’t Want to Share Her Toy,

The lines between technological gadgets used at work and at home are blurring with personal electronic devices, such as your Blackberry. I think your attitude is reasonable.   It’s unfair when companies expect us to supply our own machines.  If you feel like you need to compromise with them, perhaps asking them to take on your monthly bills is one way to do it.

There’s also the issue of them expecting you to be working perhaps when you would not normally be working.  Some of these gadgets promoting continuous computing and constant contact make it more difficult for us to get away from our jobs, especially when people expect us to always be reachable.  If they expect you to always be available, you have the right to expect them to alter your salary and benefits as appropriate.  Perhaps it’s time to remind them of that.  Sometimes asking for a salary increase and better benefits is enough for them to decide they don’t need you to be available all the time.

Good luck,
Marian

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