“What about the abolition of serfdom?” A QA specialist asked if notifications outside working hours are a lack of humanity. What do other IT professionals think about this?
Yana Vershinina, a business analyst and CRM specialist, as well as QA and PM, raised the topic of communication, tasks, and notifications on weekends and after the workday. The specialist shared her thoughts on what she believes should and shouldn’t be done. Other tech professionals who were not indifferent to this topic also joined her in the comments.
Yana Vershinina, a business analyst and CRM specialist, as well as QA and PM, raised the topic of communication, tasks, and notifications on weekends and after the workday. The specialist shared her thoughts on what she believes should and shouldn’t be done. Other tech professionals who were not indifferent to this topic also joined her in the comments.
Is business more important than humanity?
«On vacation — with a laptop. In the hospital — with Telegram chats. During childbirth, I probably should start Zoom? And what about the labor law? And the abolition of serfdom?» writes Yana Vershinina.
According to her, the ideal colleague at the moment is someone who knows that «rest» and «sickness» are not «a break between tasks.»
What should and shouldn’t be done?
The specialist analyzed the approach to a conditional situation where an employee says: «I’m in the hospital.»
«When a person says, ‘I’m in the hospital,’ it’s not a signal to say, ‘Oh, then I’ll quickly do the task, see how I get time, it’s not urgent…»,» she cites the example of Yana Vershinina, and then shares her thoughts on how the situation could develop, how it affects her as an employee, and what could be done «in a humane way.»
For example, she says the following usually happens:
— «Oh, get well soon! By the way, if you have time, please take a look at what I wrote in the chat. Not urgently, of course. You can type it when you have time.»
On the one hand, according to Yana Vershinina, if it’s not urgent, then why write now? Because there already is:
delayed messages,
notes,
task lists,
common sense (sometimes).
«I want to work with people who can say, ‘Get well. I’ll take care of everything myself.’ And not because I’m unimportant. But because I’m human,» she says.
Who is to blame?
The expert explained where such «automated reactions» come from and why illness, vacation, even childbirth are not a reason to truly disappear from the radar. Here are her arguments, point by point:
1. Am I to blame?
Because she was always «in touch», even when she didn’t have to.
Because she said «it’s okay, I can take a look» so as not to burden others.
Because she didn’t set boundaries — clearly, calmly, with responsibility for herself.
2. Or maybe others are to blame?
Because they perceive my openness as «always available.»
Because they abuse «it’s not urgent,» forgetting that even non-urgency is still a request in a moment of vulnerability.
Because even when they contact me «not urgently», but on my day off or sick leave — it still doesn’t remain in the messages. I read it, my brain started the script, started looking for a solution.
«Yes, I won’t do it urgently, but the thought has already stuck, sometimes I even dream about it,» Yana adds.
3. Or maybe the approach to work itself is to blame?
Where a person = a resource.
Where everything is based not on processes, but on superheroes.
Where boundaries are a weakness and burnout is the norm.
What do other IT people think?
Victoria Zakharova, HRBP at Nayax (IT)
Oh, how the post resonated.
Andriy Tarasenko, Product Leader
It seems to me 50/50. On the one hand, this is how we «raised» those who apply, and on the other hand, it’s normal, because while you’re in the hospital or on vacation, the problems don’t get used to it and after the end you’ll have to work twice as hard. That’s why common sense dictates the decision to solve everything as early as possible. And as an addition — sometimes this is why colleagues and managers appreciate you and are willing to pay more.
Yaroslav, Graphic designer, brand designer
— «What about the labor law? What about the abolition of serfdom?»
So everything has already changed. The latest version of the law regulating relations between employees and employers has significantly shifted the balance in favor of the employer. Well, serfdom in Ukraine has been de facto restored (you’re just a woman and it hasn’t affected you yet).
— «Is business more important than humanity?»
Yes, that’s actually true. Unfortunately.
PS Understanding this reality in itself is only partly important. What is more important is what questions this understanding raises.
Yuriy Gorbovy, Front-end developer
Usually, when I find out that one of my colleagues is sick, I ask about their health and offer to bring tangerines) But I’m not «management.» I don’t know how I would behave in the position of a manager.
Yulia Vasylyshyn, Amazon account manager
It was like this. The postoperative ward, and I was chatting with a client because the MP needed to be approved. And you know what? My personal conclusion is that the fault is entirely mine. Not even the fault, but the choice.
None of your colleagues know how you feel. And they shouldn’t guess. If you can’t explain, stop, delegate, that’s your choice. And it’s not about dedication to your work, but about some kind of unhealthy attitude towards this work and your role in it.
But this is my personal experience and I will not claim that my conclusion is universal. Cases are different. Health to all!
Vyacheslav Gudzenko, IOS Developer
There’s a little bit of everything here, as far as I’m concerned. My experience shows that if you maintain personal boundaries, then they stop bothering you. For example, in the hospital — oh, look how much time there will be? Let’s see when I get to work. Once they get used to it, they will no longer count on a person to plow on sick leave or just on a day off.
Oleksandr Kazmirchuk, Senior Software Engineer
This way you can set up notifications, do not disturb modes, while driving.
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