In trouble for bludging when I wasn’t: what can I do?

But arguably most important of all is this: the idea that the average person can or should turn up to work and go hell-for-leather for eight, nine or 10 hours without any kind of pleasant distraction or mental break is preposterous. I say “average” because I’m sure there are some people who love nothing more than applying the work blinkers, putting their head down and refusing to stop for anything but toilet relief and food intake, but they would be in a tiny minority.

Loading

Being told you’ve been “caught” reading the news in your lunch break suggests to me that you got your manager on an exceptionally bad day. But that’s being generous. More likely, this person has no sense of what makes work enjoyable, or at least bearable, for most people. Under their work doctrine, having a chat with a colleague over a morning coffee, laughing about a badly worded email or exploring an idea that never goes anywhere would be considered “slacking”.

Of course, enjoyment also comes from using your skills and knowledge. There’s great satisfaction in completing a task and completing it well. But everyone works differently. Some like a couple of big breaks a day. Some like lots of little breaks. Some need to go for a lunchtime jog or gym session. Some need to discuss something unrelated to work. Some like music as a diversion from (or an accompaniment to) work. And so on into infinity.

The point is, the idea that you’ve been “caught” taking a break at work implies that there is one correct way to get through a day and you’ve chosen the “wrong” one. That’s simply wrong.

I’m reluctant to tell you to “just quit” or to simply retire. But if it’s any consolation, I can tell you that your problem is not small. It’s significant and you’re right to feel aggrieved by it.

Got a question about your career or the world of work? Send it to Work Therapy: [email protected]