[hbs18]

So what is the correct solution to that specific problem then, adjust loading time per customer?

[damethos]

Probably just let them vent until they adjust their habits and just chat with their co-workers, without the need to use this as an excuse. Then, they can enjoy the fast loading times :)

[wahnfrieden]

Why would the boss accept that? They automated the work to eliminate employee downtime. If the employees were upset to lose their chatting time then presumably they lack the agency to choose chatting over work duties when they’re unblocked. The only way to help them in that situation is to organize them

[ramijames]

Ignoring the users is the correct solution. Defining company culture through software loading is ridiculous.

[DenisM]

What about the second order effects?

Ignoring the customers becomes a habit, which doesn’t lead to success.

But then, caving to each customer demand will make solution overfit.

Somewhere in there one has to exercise judgement.

But how does one make judgment a repeatable process? Feedback is rarely immediate in such tradeoffs, so promotions go to people who are capable of showing some metric going up, even if the metrics is shortsighted. The repeatable outcome of this process is mediocracy. Which, surprisingly enough, works out on average.

[dchftcs]

Their bosses are likely happier for the lower downtime required to run the software anyway.

[notatoad]

The solution is to accept that this isn’t a software development problem, and to remove yourself from the situation as painlessly as possible.

If a manager wants to structure a morning break into their employees’ day, they can do that. It doesn’t require a software fix.

[toxik]

Completely insane, who doesn't get to have coffee breaks without manager permission? Surely any org that treats its employees as adults would not have this problem.

[wahnfrieden]

Organizing workers

What’s the alternative? Ask the boss for favors? That’s what organizing is for