4 ms·

Why should I want my employer to 'love' me? There are several things I want from my employer, but none of them are anywhere near 'love' and especially not the s

Why should I want my employer to 'love' me? There are several things I want from my employer, but none of them are anywhere near 'love' and especially not the sort of 'love' that this hints at. Primarily, I want my employer to provide a structure within which I can do my work with a minimum of hassle. I want to be paid well and regularly. I want no surprises when it comes to health-care or other benefits. I want, within reason, to be able to put my job aside for personal matters that I deem more important - we usually call this 'personal leave' in the US. I want a comfortable, arms-length working relationship where I can work hard as needed to get a job done and then leave. I do NOT want my employer actively trying to become my friend. I do NOT want my employer asking me to share my taste in music with the rest of the office, nor do I care about everybody else's tastes. I do NOT want "team-building" exercises or structured activities which are meant to help me work better with people. I definitely don't want my employer to 'love' me. To hell with that.

dabent 16y ago
"I do NOT want my employer actively trying to become my friend." Exactly, and a variation on that is on the front page here today (VCs Are Not Your Friends). You might be on friendly terms you your employer, but it's primarily a business relationship. http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2174722 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2174722
tallanvor 16y ago
Exactly. I've only allowed one exception to my "coworkers can't be friends on Facebook". Don't get me wrong, my boss isn't a bad guy, and if we didn't work together I wouldn't have a problem with it, but the employer-employee relationship would end up coming first, so I would not recommend that anyone risk it.
jonpaul 16y ago
The article doesn't mean "love" in the literal sense, even though I think you know this. I think it means "love" in the sense of feeling appreciated. I also agree with your expectations of stable pay and health benefits. I do think that some of the suggestions in the article were a bit lame such as the suggestion about music and friending of social networks, but I think the the intent of the article is correct. Employers should allow encourage their employees to be creative and autonomous people with little restrictions.

dabent 16y ago

"I do NOT want my employer actively trying to become my friend." Exactly, and a variation on that is on the front page here today (VCs Are Not Your Friends). You might be on friendly terms you your employer, but it's primarily a business relationship. http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2174722 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2174722

tallanvor 16y ago

Exactly. I've only allowed one exception to my "coworkers can't be friends on Facebook". Don't get me wrong, my boss isn't a bad guy, and if we didn't work together I wouldn't have a problem with it, but the employer-employee relationship would end up coming first, so I would not recommend that anyone risk it.

jonpaul 16y ago

The article doesn't mean "love" in the literal sense, even though I think you know this. I think it means "love" in the sense of feeling appreciated. I also agree with your expectations of stable pay and health benefits. I do think that some of the suggestions in the article were a bit lame such as the suggestion about music and friending of social networks, but I think the the intent of the article is correct. Employers should allow encourage their employees to be creative and autonomous people with little restrictions.