Offline Mode Depression Syndrome

Posted March 12, 2010

My wife and I were discussing recently how going to work somewhere new affects us. She asked if I got nervous on the first day and what I worried about most. Meeting new friends? Uncomfortable chairs, perhaps? No free soft drinks? After thinking about it, the thing I am concerned about most when entering a new workplace is the environment. I'm a fairly spoiled worker. I don't require, nor appreciate, nosey or micro-managing bosses. I am the expert; they are management - they do their job, I will do mine. I am autonomous, yet communicative. Sometimes I like peace and quiet, others I'm listening to mood music. There are days where the work is conducive to telecommuting, others where I have to be on-site. I focus heavily on the task at hand, but can appreciate a few minutes of downtime now and again, whether browsing, reading or checking email.

In trying to completely explain the environment I prefer, I came to a revelation. It is not that I'm overly spoiled or reliant on the internet, but that I still possess the human need for social contact, even in the workplace. Yes, co-workers do fulfill that need somewhat and definitely did more so in days past. (In fact, they may still in some other working environments.) But, for me and I'm sure many like me - the techno-infused masses whose lives are at least somewhat intertwined with the Twitter and the Facebook - they do not make up my social universe.

My day is probably more typical than I think. I get up, usually within a snooze cycle or two. On days where it was closer to one or I skipped the day before, I'll hop in the shower. Usually check email, make coffee, get dressed and I’m ready to go shortly thereafter. I leave the house, but still have my phone. As far as I'm concerned all is well and I'm still attached to my social network. My phone lets me do just about everything (socially) that I would at my computer at home. Maybe a little more slowly, but I'm definitely not isolated. Next I arrive at work…

This is where things can pan out a few different ways, but from my experience they're usually one of two scenarios…

The connected workplace, if structured properly, can be a really great place to work. When I say connected, I mean to the outside world. Usually this means you can use your cellphone, at least sensibly (no loud calls at your desk, vibrate only, designated conversation areas), and there’s at least enough Internet access to get by. Most restrict to some degree where you can go and what you can do, but I think management is getting better at understanding what is truly inappropriate and a productivity killer and what is almost necessary for our well-being.

That brings me to the dreaded disconnected workplace. This environment has overly restrictive policies regarding either cellphone and/or Internet usage. I’ve been in places where simply brandishing a cellphone evokes wide-eyed astonishment like they’re expecting an invisible hand to smack them simply for being in the presence of one of these demonic little devices. I have had the “pleasure” of working at a computer that couldn’t get to Google, much less anything else. I have placed (and had escalated by more than one manager) requests for a printout of a Microsoft KB article since I wasn’t authorized to get there myself and have had it take days to arrive. That’s hardly productive, but it’s for their protection. I get that, but it doesn’t make it feel any better to the lowly worker.

Without access to our social universe, we experience what I call Offline Mode Depression Syndrome. As with other addiction/withdrawal cycles, the effects begin gradually after the initial disconnect – turning off your cellphone as you get out of your car and approach the building and logging into a computer that taunts you with semi-connectedness and seemingly random firewall blocks. The last time I was in such an environment, I remember feeling dread almost immediately.  I felt alone, even though people surrounded me. I never felt further from home…

It's obvious to me that what we crave the most when we're at work is to not feel isolated and disconnected from our social bubble. Even if I choose not to talk to anyone outside of work some days, I'm happier, more relaxed and more productive knowing that I can.