Attention, Bosses: Leave Us Alone on Friday Afternoon

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I found it so funny to come across this article now because I'm sitting here on a Friday afternoon and my boss just forwarded me more work to do ! it would be nice to forward him this article .

T 7:25AM February 17, 2012

Just because we sit and do nothing on Fridays (from about 10am to 5pm, which means we did put in 2 solid hours) doesn't mean we aren't grateful for our jobs.

Mary-Anne O'Donnell of CA 10:02AM May 14, 2010

It's Friday afternoon and I actually googled "Friday afternoon at work"! Thank you for your article, it reassured some of my colleagues and I that we do not have ADD and that Friday afternoon syndrome is quite normal (except for your attackers, that is). I don't believe it has anything to do with being a "slacker", or even being undisciplined or ungrateful for having a job - we put in many overtime, unpaid hours and, honestly, by Friday afternoon, we're all tired and want to go home.

Tam of SC 9:53AM May 14, 2010

OK. You guys are all trying to generalize and attack.
Kevin: I most definatley agree that we are lucky to have our jobs, especially in the current economic state, and agree that we need to work at what we get paid for.
I also think that Friday afternoon is much less productive (most weeks) than other days of the week. This is due in part to the reasons that Andrew mentioned above, but also to the fact that we are exhausted.
I'm 26. I work hard and I play hard. I work 12-14 hours of chargeable time a day somedays (and other days its only 8)and then on Friday's (sometimes) we'll go grab a beer or soemthing in the afternoon or spend some time sending back pointless emails.
This does not mean (Alison/Kelly) that we do not like our jobs or are not interested, this does not mean (Kevin) that we are "slackers", and it does not mean (Andrew) that our bosses are in denial (believe me, they know that friday's are unproductive). It simply means that as adults, we should know what needs to get done and be responsible and RESPECTFUl about when it gets done.

Holly of NY 3:26PM March 13, 2009

I'd be an old man to a "twenty-something entrepreneur" anyhow. I have no problem dishing out contrarian career perspectives; it's what I do.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the majority of employees (if they were honest with themselves) would side with me on this one. It's the career-industry folks, who make up the majority of career blog traffic for some odd reason, who aren't honest with themselves about what employees want or think.
Again, thanks for reading and commenting. All barbing aside, I do appreciate it.

Andrew G.R. of NY 2:20PM August 05, 2008

Not a personal insult at all; simply observations that as an entrepreneur I sure wouldn't want you on my team. Good luck - with this kind of public attitude toward your expecation of being left alone while being paid by your employer you're going to need it.
I know many twenty-something entrepreneurs that wouldn't touch you with a ten foot pole after these comments.

Kevin of VA 11:28AM August 02, 2008

KO: Do you really think there is one set of career advice that applies to everybody? That sounds like a very old school, Web 1.0 approach to work. US News is unafraid to bring in bloggers from all walks of life (young and old) to share their unique perspectives. If you're looking for that carbon copy job junk, I recommend one of those HotMonsterBuilder sites.
Kelly, you do sound like a model employee. Your organization is lucky to have you!

Andrew G.R. of NY 12:47PM July 27, 2008

Kev: I'd bet my little slacker life you bleed HR blood. Personal insults do nothing but make you look small. You might disagree with my stance on this issue, but your sweeping generalizations about me are way off.
However, congratulations to everyone who does NOT feel this way about Friday afternoons. I'm glad to hear that you have jobs that are so fulfilling that your weekend plans can wait.

Andrew G.R. of NY 10:29PM July 24, 2008

When you're in the office, on the clock, you have to be prepared for the Friday afternoon meeting, or the fire that must be fought at 4:45 regardless of whether you're scheduled to clock out at 5:00 or not.
Quite frankly this is the attitude that makes some people call certain generations a bunch of apathetic slackers. If you have a job you love, you don't mind the time spent in meetings, or even the opportunity to brainstorm over the weekend.
Maybe that 4:00 Friday meeting was called to let you know about a bigger meeting on Monday or Tuesday, and you've got time to prepare. Maybe that 4:00 Friday meeting lets you know about how your company will be in the news over the weekend or on Monday morning and they want you to know first. Heck, maybe your boss is leaving (and you're in an industry that doesn't allow a notice) and s/he wants to say goodbye formally to the group.
If you have a job that keeps you that distanced perhaps it's time to re-evaluate your career and find something that engages you and makes you feel better about your environment. And honestly, I shudder to think why someone with an attitude like that would be writing career advice for US News.

Kelly O of AL 5:53PM July 23, 2008

My office now relaxes after lunch on Fridays, but I think it is partly because we all have a company paid lunch together every friday, so we sit around chatting after, going back to work about 2 for a cruisey afternoon, AS LONG AS ITS QUIET anyway. If its busy, we get stuck in. There are 4 employees.
My old job though, didn't wind down on Friday afternoon until 4pm or so, 500+ employees.
So I think office size and responsiblities can play a part.

Dataceptionist 9:50PM July 22, 2008