Journal #6

With the dictionary definition of deviance being “the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards.” In essence, what is considered workplace deviance can still be left open for interpretation. Boss “A” might view the situation, “as long as they get the work done, I do not care how they do it.” Boss “B” might be stricter on the concept in which they want the task done in a timely fashion with minimal breaks or interruptions in between. Boss “B” may view their worker playing a game on their phone or surfing the web as deviant behavior, “If you have time to play, you have time to work!” Whereas Boss “A” views this “deviant” behavior as acceptable. Is it that the common worker evolved to be more efficient and diligent in their duties? Or has cyber technology created opportunities to be more efficient and deviant in the workplace at the same time? In my opinion I believe it to be cyber technology creating opportunities for the worker to be more efficient while also contributing to the workplace deviance. Cyber technology has evolved to make work easier and make automation the work of multiple workers in one. With the automation comes downtime and with the downtime comes deviance to the true definition of the word. The most relevant workplace deviance I can think of as a result of cyber technology is with the work from home practices during the Coronavirus pandemic. I hold more faith in those that work from home that truly work when they are on the clock, but I also feel they can get more accomplished with minimal distractions compared to working at the office which could include coffee runs, long bathroom breaks, long cubicle talks to “kill time”. I am more liberal in the sense and relate to Boss “A” in which I do not care how the job gets done, if it is done by the timeline given. All in all, cyber technology has created opportunities for workplace deviance from virtual meetings where one can zone out in their pajamas and scroll social media while they should be paying attention or the reliance on technology where “if it does not work, I cannot work” could be an excuse or false narrative to get out of work on a Friday when an individual knows a work around. At the end of the day the term workplace deviance is open for discussion and depends greatly on the individual and their employer.

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