ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
ALL WORK NO PLAY
Business analyst Jack Steele has a unique challenge this week – making it look like his focus is on the shared Word document he has open on his laptop instead of what is happening in the Blackcaps vs England test match in Hamilton.
A diehard cricket fan, the 35 year old knows his final days before Christmas are a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, he wants to prove to his manager that he’s a responsible and efficient remote worker. On the other, Kane Williamson is batting, and Jack’s flat-screen TV is only a chair-swivel away.
Logging into Microsoft Teams at precisely 8:59 a.m, Jack began his workday in true Wellington public servant style: by attending a 40-minute meeting where everyone reiterated what they’d already emailed the day before..
“It’s all about creating the illusion of engagement,” Jack explained, before pointing to a Teams message.
“I asked if anyone had trouble logging into one of the portals this morning in the Teams chat. That makes it look like I’m actively trying to get stuck into some meaningful work, while in reality I’m fully engaged in the Blackcaps building a massive lead against England.”
As Kane Williamson approached the 90s, Jack’s professional obligations took a noticeable hit. His status on Teams may have remained a calming green circle, but his focus was on watching Williamson hit his 33rd test century.
“It was a big moment for Kane, but also for me—I’d managed to look busy while not missing a single ball.”
Jack is also unlikely to achieve anything meaningful in his job tomorrow as he’ll likely be watching another full day’s play with the Black Caps pushing for a comprehensive victory.
More to come.
This story was brought to you by the good bastards at Fat Bastard Pies. Order some of their hefty pies online and have them delivered fresh overnight, anywhere in NZ.
