Question

Management Looseleaf (8th Edition)

Chapter 8, Problem 3SC

Do some research and What are your thoughts about should socializing outside work hours be mandatory? Explain about 1 page

Answer 1

Answer.

In my perspective, socialisation should not be mandatory outside work hours. Infact why would it be mandatory, employees stays at office for more than 8 hours with their colleagues and superior, and other members it is their own personal life after office hours they will be wanting to spend it at their own wish and desire. Socialising after office hours can be fruitful, because it will allow the employees to know each other better as a person and helps in knowing a person's true attitude and his behaviour. This makes a strong bond between the employees who stay connected even after office hours. But, some employees don't agree to the idea because, they already spend lot of time in offices every day with the same people, and they don't feel to stay connected even after going home or outside.

According to an article by Tim bowler,

IT consultant Peter Smith says though he gets on well with his co-workers, he does not meet them outside the office. "I spend 10-12 hours with the same people, why would I want to then go out with them in the evening?

"I need to be able to relax and unwind and I can't really do that with people from the office. I don't want to talk about work issues," he says.

"I have friends I see at the weekends and evenings, and my work colleagues who I might go for a quick lunch with, but I try to make sure the two groups don't meet." But no matter how much we might try to compartmentalise our lives, some workplace events - like Christmas parties or leaving drinks - can be hard to avoid.

Whereas, Sasanka Sharma, founder and chief executive of US engineering and IT firm Iscientia, says he makes a point of meeting his team outside work.

"Every now and then we have activities planned for the whole team, be it lunch together, outdoor adventure, or just going out as a team after work hours. This builds our relationship, helps me know my employees on a personal level and helps them know me as well."

For him, as a company boss, there is also a commercial pay-off. "In today's environment it is hard to retain employees and colleagues unless they have an emotional connection to the company," he says.

"I would want my employees to be more connected and have a sense of ownership and that can only happen when people work as a team and as one family."

So it is definitely based on the employees and employees perspective, whether to be socialising outside work hours or not. To some, it is beneficial, to other it is not. But making it mandatory will not work as it will disturb the personal space of each employee and members.

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Reference:

Should you socialise with your colleagues outside work?

By Tim BowlerBusiness reporter, BBC News, 21 December 2016

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en-IN&source=android-browser&ei=T5KzW-GhAsv3vAS26pjIBw&ins=false&q=should+socializing+outside+work+hours+be+mandatory%3F+&oq=should+socializing+outside+work+hours+be+mandatory%3F+&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.12..0i22i30.1806934.1806934..1807843...0.0..0.419.419.4-1......0....1j2.......3..41.JrUK39fxRps