Work hard/Play hard: Who cares?

[Mellyrose]

Why do companies advertise in job postings with sayings like: "...believe in the work-hard-play-hard ethic" or "we work hard, but we play harder" as if this is supposed to persuade people to work there? Who cares how hard they play?

It's actually a turn off for me.

[nwafan20]

I think they are trying to attract the 20-something male generation, and the usual thought there is "Wow! Sweet! Play hard? That's awesome!"

[Tom_Turner]

Yeah, Mel. I agree; it is annoying...

Most likely someone in the Marketing Dept has taken over some tasks from the Human Resources Dept.

Just cross your fingers they aren't handling your benefits and vacation and Pension.

Tom

[PhilDernerJr]

Work Hard Play Hard only applies to the military, as they are stuck together after hours.

I have enough friends, thanks. I want to do my job and go home to my family.

[RDU-JFK]

They use that term when describing colleges as well. At Duke, students described themselves as those who "work hard and play hard" but I always hated that expression.

Do people at other schools not work as hard or not play as much?

[tipek]

Then I guess all of you guys hate Continental :) They translated play hard to "fly right" :)

[RDU-JFK]

Then I guess all of you guys hate Continental :) They translated play hard to "fly right" :)

I'd rather "fly right" than "play hard" :wink:

[Mellyrose]

Then I guess all of you guys hate Continental :) They translated play hard to "fly right" :)

I'd rather "fly right" than "play hard" :wink:

Seriously, me too!

I was on an interview once when the HR Manager was telling me all the "perks" of the company, used that phrase and proceeded to go on and on about the company sponsored happy hours, the beer that people bring in for working late, the clubs they get VIP access to, the fully-stocked kitchen....then, she was like "I don't know if drinking is your thing, but..." and I was like, "Actually, it's not." I think she felt pretty dumb trying to sell me the job with booze. I don't know about the people at THAT company, but when the clock hits 6pm, if I don't have a deadline, I'm out the door to spend time with family!

[T-Bird76]

Sounds like a nice way of saying we are going to work you to the bone so you won't have time for a life... no thanks

[PhilDernerJr]

I think it's the opposite. It's probably a place that thinks they work hard, whenthey are all probably lazy, and it's just a big social scene. The employees spend their day gossiping and planning out happy horus and weekends.

[Mellyrose]

Yeah, someone had their dog at the office, too. Not the most professional environment.

[NIKV69]

I can relate a little to this. In my line of work you become close to your co-workers as well as people you work for. The sheer amount of hours I put in and the fact that you live and die with these people as time goes by it creates a certain atmosphere. Last night for example myself and my boss couple of other pros and the superintendant where invited out. Dinner, cigars and cordials etc. What it tells you is that they appreciate the sacrifice. Many here think it's great that I spend 3 months out west spotting, playing cards and basically being a bum. I think you would not want to be me now. I spend all day every day at the club and come home only to sleep. It is a trade off. I am not sure if the corparate business world is trying to attract people with these slogans as to how they play. But the Metropolitan PGA section is a very close knit community. The relationships created with co-workers, board members, commitee members and the people that make up the member clubs are very unique and last a lifetime. You go to their happy times and you go to their funerals, you watch their kids grow up and actually have an impact in their growing up. Most if not all of these people are self made multi-millionaires and still themselves have to work every day like us but yet they do play hard. Very hard. I can relate to the "work hard, play hard" mindset. My business doesn't have to advertise it. You know it going in. In reality you have to play hard, If you don't you can get burnt out bad and it will consume you.

[PhilDernerJr]

Nic, you've got the right idea. We all like to party hard after working hard. The thing is whether we want our hard playing to be at/with work and coworkers. Yeah, I know I'm going to party hard after you attempt to slave me. I jsut don't wnat to do it with the asshoels that I'm stuck with for 60 hours a week.

NOTE: To any of my actually coworkers reading this, that's not directed at you. I'm talking about office environments. Sorry I didn't make it to ghet get-together theother day....i was helping my sister move. :(

[mirrodie]

Nick brings up some important aspects.

Truth is we'll spend more time with our co-workers than with our families, no matter what you do (unless you work at home). The girls in my office are my 'second' family....or the sisters I never had.

And some people DO like to spend much of their time with co-workers outside of work. Face it, if you work with a a group of people with shared values, beliefs and ideas, you might actually want to hang out with them after hours.

Just a matter of preference.

[Tom_Turner]

Nick brings up some important aspects.

Truth is we'll spend more time with our co-workers than with our families, no matter what you do (unless you work at home). The girls in my office are my 'second' family....or the sisters I never had.


Thats a good way to put it Mario.

I do usually try to avoid much socializing after hours with my co-workers -for a number of reasons, most importantly becaue there would be no time left for family, other friends and my significant other, but in the end..yeah, its "the sisters I never had"..and you do get pretty close...

Tom

[Alex T]

I know this view is also shared at Southwest Airlines.

We celebrate anything we can, and in turn our employees do work as hard but after all the work is done we get to play and have fun with our co workers and we have fun at work also in doing so.

It may not be shared by everyone but we do follow the same belief.

Alex

[Mellyrose]

While those are valid points, and I DO socialize with SELECTED co-workers, I still absolutely disagree with this being a sales pitch in an interview or job posting.

a) The phrase itself is extremely cliche at this point.

b) How are they supposed to know if you're going to click with your future colleagues and want to play hard with them, even if it IS your thing?

c) It doesn't sound professional. Maybe something along the lines of: "We sponsor company activities to support moral boost...." or "We encourage employees to get to know one another on a social level...."

But please...anything but: Work hard, play harder.

[NIKV69]

Nic, you've got the right idea. We all like to party hard after working hard. The thing is whether we want our hard playing to be at/with work and coworkers. Yeah, I know I'm going to party hard after you attempt to slave me. I jsut don't wnat to do it with the asshoels that I'm stuck with for 60 hours a week.

Thankfully the *******s in my biz are very limited and the relationships are very strong between people at a club. It is viewed as more as a lifestyle. You have to be able to depend on each other to a degree not seen in many other workplaces.



[a) The phrase itself is extremely cliche at this point.
/quote]

Of course it is, it's why it is a cliche and will be long after we are all fertilizer.

[quote:1c18c]How are they supposed to know if you're going to click with your future colleagues and want to play hard with them, even if it IS your thing?

I think you are reading a little too much into it. That phrase can be interpreted a number of ways. As a release, letting off steam, or just partying. It is open to many interpretations.


It doesn't sound professional. Maybe something along the lines of: "We sponsor company activities to support moral boost...." or "We encourage employees to get to know one another on a social level...."

But please...anything but: Work hard, play harder.[/quote:1c18c]

I agree it is not the most professional thing to say but it is catchy and if you looking for an audience you will get further with something short and catchy as opposed to the other ways to phrase it.

[mirrodie]

I think you are reading a little too much into it. That phrase can be interpreted a number of ways. As a release, letting off steam, or just partying. It is open to many interpretations.



Agreed. One interpretation is that while the company expects a good work ethic, they are casual in other ways, (ie. no tie, bring your pet, etc)

In another way of looking at it, they are point blank telling you about their atmosphere and what to expect.

So many different ways to read it. In my eyes, it says we're family. i'll never forget, one of my staff took a phone call as I stood next to her and she just learned her father had passed away. A second later, I was the first person to console.

So again, in my eyes, I find it a way of telling about the work ethic without making hte interview feel as it its a stuffy place.

[Mellyrose]

You have to understand I am talking about a corporate environment...not a golfcourse or a doctor's office (NOT that those aren't professional environments, or that there's anything wrong with them). But I think that if you are going into an interview in a business suit, poised and ready for a corporate job, you just don't expect the pitch to be "we bring beer and dogs."

I am not saying you shouldn't be close with your co-workers while you're AT work. I'm very close with my coworkers. I just don't want whether my co-workers are party animals to be a deciding factor about whether I'm going to take a job or not.

[PhilDernerJr]

Not that it's a huge thing, but when you're interviewing in an office and the way the boss represents the company is with work hard play hard, you know they are not too strong and have little to offer.

I'd prefer a boss tell me his workplace has a "Work hard, but if you're still here at 5:01 I'll ****in kill you," mentality.

[NIKV69]

You have to understand I am talking about a corporate environment...not a golfcourse or a doctor's office

My enviorment is just as professional as yours. The people I service all own businesses like the one you work for. The own law practices, insurance agencies. CEOS and the like. I also went on my job interview in a suit. In fact they delve into your background probably deeper than most corporate places.


I just don't want whether my co-workers are party animals to be a deciding factor about whether I'm going to take a job or not.

God I hope not.


Not that it's a huge thing, but when you're interviewing in an office and the way the boss represents the company is with work hard play hard, you know they are not too strong and have little to offer.

I'd prefer a boss tell me his workplace has a "Work hard, but if you're still here at 5:01 I'll ****in kill you," mentality.

Interesting. I would like to have someone tell me that they appreciate a job well done. No matter what the hours you put in and will reward you accordingly. Pay my benefits and take me out for a steak and cigar once in a while.

[Mellyrose]

My enviorment is just as professional as yours.

Would have been nice if you quoted my entire sentence, instead of just choosing the part that suits best to start a debate.


You have to understand I am talking about a corporate environment...not a golfcourse or a doctor's office (NOT that those aren't professional environments, or that there's anything wrong with them)..

[NIKV69]

Would have been nice if you quoted my entire sentence, instead of just choosing the part that suits best to start a debate.

Mellyrose wrote:
You have to understand I am talking about a corporate environment...not a golfcourse or a doctor's office (NOT that those aren't professional environments, or that there's anything wrong with them)..



I read your entire statement. It is clear what you meant. Even with the backpedaling.

If you want then clarify what you meant. You obviously tried to say there is a difference.

[T-Bird76]

Socializing with some co-workers is ok but you spend 8 plus hours with them and a decent portion of that is socializing. I just got back from spending the last seven days with co-workers, nice people but I'd rather have spent the last seven days with good friends and family where I was.

I agree that the last thing I want to hear at an interview is "We work hard and play hard." WTF kind of statement is that about a company, I think at that point I'd say thank you for you're time but no thanks. In life there are you're work friends and your close friends, I like to keep the two apart.

[mirrodie]

Would have been nice if you quoted my entire sentence, instead of just choosing the part that suits best to start a debate.

Mellyrose wrote:
You have to understand I am talking about a corporate environment...not a golfcourse or a doctor's office (NOT that those aren't professional environments, or that there's anything wrong with them)..



I read your entire statement. It is clear what you meant. Even with the backpedaling.

If you want then clarify what you meant. You obviously tried to say there is a difference.


Ladies, please. You're both beautiful.

[Mellyrose]

I read your entire statement. It is clear what you meant. Even with the backpedaling.

If you want then clarify what you meant. You obviously tried to say there is a difference.


I did clarify what I meant, and pretty clearly in all of my posts in this thread....but you can assume what you'd like.

[NIKV69]

I did clarify what I meant, and pretty clearly in all of my posts in this thread....but you can assume what you'd like.


Thanks for not answering the question.


I agree that the last thing I want to hear at an interview is "We work hard and play hard." WTF kind of statement is that about a company, I think at that point I'd say thank you for you're time but no thanks. In life there are you're work friends and your close friends, I like to keep the two apart.

Again it can mean a million things. It's worded poorly. It can mean everything from a few drinks after work to huge parties where the girls put their bare asses on the copy maching and make copies.

[mirrodie]

to huge parties where the girls put their bare asses on the copy maching and make copies.



*sighs*......