TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I take Dan's point--the choice of a right number of hours is arbitrary
and depends on the person, occupation, location, and in particular the
era. In Dickens don't the clerks all work full days from Monday to Saturday?
I do think there's a point of diminishing returns. Your sixtieth hour in
a given week won't be as productive as any of the first forty hours. In
fact if you work sixty-hour weeks for any length of time none of those
hours will be as productive as a normal hour in a forty hour week.
So while I wouldn't try to make a general distinction between 40-hour
clock watchers and 45-hour inefficient workers, I do think long hours
*for long periods* is a sign of poor management. If the TW isn't getting
paid OT they're getting a raw deal. If they are getting paid OT then the
employer isn't getting value for money.
It would be like paying 50% extra for your eleventh beer. You don't need
it! You can't taste it!
Stuart
"Dan Goldstein" said:
> Right, and then the next guy replies, "I think that anyone who
> can do their work in 35 can probably do it in 30." The choice
> of 35 as "reasonable" is as random as the choice of 40 or 45.
>
> Does anyone have any research that suggests that tech writers
> can accomplish as much work in 35 hours as in 40, or as much
> in 40 hours as in 45?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
