It is 2pm and I am literally falling asleep at my desk. To make matters worst, “it is that time of the month” and I am in the midst of level 8 cramps, headache and backache so much that I had to go to my car to lay down for a few minutes. If I could sum up or find a word to describe how I feel at the current moment, it would be exhausted.
Work Culture is quite interesting in Jamaica, If you are one of those people like me who gets sick quite often, it is frowned upon to use your actual sick days when you are actually sick. Weird Huh? What makes matters worst is because in the past, there were people who used these days for personal time off (as we don’t get those here) so when you are actually sick and need the days, you are heavily scrutinised and have to go through a process. This makes no sense if you are sick at the current moment and need to leave to either go home to rest or visit a Doctor.
Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
Your best bet is to work through the pain, bare it until you get home and hope you make it trough the day without dying. I’m not writing this piece as a means of complaining but! Things that are considered the “bare minimum” in other countries are not a thing in Jamaica. For us, the “bare minimum” is deemed as a privilege . Only if you are not able to physically make it into work because something obvious like “going into labour” will allow any form of sick day be granted.
Working in 2022
I would hope that in 2022 we would have moved passed antiquated notions of “having to see people in office daily” for it to be deemed as doing valuable work. COVID-19 has introduced remote + hybrid working environments which most companies have embraced. I have spoken to a few friends who have stated that they do their best work from home or a cafe’ but never at their actual job. There is no sitting in traffic for 2 -4 hours daily depending on where you live, no co-worker or Manager coming to you with Ad Hoc Tasks and you get to zone in and focus on what needs to be done and do it. When I worked remotely previously, I was able to start my day at 8:30am and end by 2pm the latest. I was able to schedule in my tasks, create time blocks for each and use the morning to do “deep work” and by 1 pm I was wrapping up and create my tasks / to do list for the next day.
Implement a Remote + Hybrid Work Environment
If you are reading this and you are a Jamaican Business Owner, if you have not already, consider Remote + Hybrid work and see how it will improve productivity and your bottom line. Sure, there will be a learning curve and you might have to spend money on equipment, but imagine the Return on Investment when you are paying less for electricity and your team is more motivated and your company is making more money.
Conclusion
Your staff will be refreshed, energised and ready to do their best work! Also, if a person is sick, allow them to go home. You never know what a person is going through or their pain tolerance.
Let me know in the comments section what your work environment is like and if you have tried a remote or hybrid business model.
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
#Will Jamaica Adapt a Hybrid Work Culture?
