Spare Time at Work

[ykee]

Our projects at work are sporadic, sometimes crazy busy, and other times twiddling our thimbs. It's public service, so I can't spend my down time marketing. I try to keep busy regardless -- try to examine processes, do technical reading. I've thought about doing some on-line course, just not sure if sporadic workloads will allow for it.

Wondering how other people deal with sporadic workloads.

 

[MadMango]

I am in a design environment, the work is very sporadic, but cyclic in nature. There are times when I will work a 10-12hr day, others where I will only have 2-3hrs of actual work. I like to stay busy, it makes the day go by faster. When I don't have anything to do, I ask for more work, or go around asking if others need help. If I can't find immediate work, I play catch-up reading technical articles, cleaning/organizing my cubicle, etc. If I still don't have anything to do, I enjoy the down time, 'cause when it gets busy around here, it gets very busy and I won't have time for anything else.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Never tell your boss you aren't busy or do not have something to do...good way to lose a job.

Read a tech book
Write a manual for your products or services
Drink heavily
Design a spreadsheet to speed calcs
Draw some AutoCad blocks
Smoke some dope
Re-organize files so people can find stuff
Sniff some glue
Clean out the refrig - watch for hazardous wastes
Look for a new job or see if your salary is up to spec
Invent a new product or service your company can offer
Upgrade your tech library.

I am sure you can add a few more to this list and yes "Airplane" is one of my favorite movies!

 

[Gymmeh]

I normally spend time reading different design or engineering fora or Updating drawings since there is a lot of odds and ends that need to be worked on.

Or along the lines of Studying, I will pick something related to work and I want to know more about like, Euler Buckling. Then I will apply what I learned to aspects of our systems which have known information to see if I will come to the same conclusion.

 

[ctopher]

I (try) to learn as many applications as a can during down time.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[lowedogg]

isn't killing time one of the functions of the message board...haha.

engineering is inherently a cyclical business. getting caught up on training or reading about new technologies is a good way to spend down time because it will improve you as a professional.

if you have tremendous amounts of down time you may want use some of it looking for another job...

 

[SomptingGuy]

If you have tremendous amounts of down time, filling in your time sheet becomes a real challenge.

- Steve

 

[ykee]

time sheets could be a challenge -- what's the index code for surfing the net? Luckily we don't have time sheets -- they are always enough trouble to fill in when busy!

 

[csd72]

Filing
Creating productivity tools such as spreadsheets
Write a design checklist for typical products.
generally try to come up with ideas that will make you more efficient.

 

[whyun]

We are in the business of selling services, not time.

In the private sector, even during slow economy, people tend to have something to do. Creating spreadsheets, updating the company standards/details/specs, contribute to the company's design standards, etc.

For those in the public sector, they can spend time organizing their computer files and paper files. Organizing alone is an endless task.

Idle time is "expected" in many careers. I can think of firefighters, police among others. Don't feel too guilty.

 

[jmw]

Analyse the projects and look for ways to improve the way you do them. Write reports. These can be for yourself if you like, but if challenged you can produce them for examination.
All too often you never get time to forensic completed projects and consequently repeat errors. Some day understanding where the problems lie may prove a great benefit.

JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[calguy07]

spend more time on this forum.

 

[rtmote]

I try to write papers that never get printed, keep a blog going that nobody reads, learn how to beat Bill Gates at his game(haha).

As Mike says, it is a killer to say you have no work to your boss! Downtime is the opportunity for engineers to catch up with their auto-didactic responsibilities and professionally develop oneself.

After six years, I still haven't figured how to program my calculator yet.... I will wait until we really hit the graveyard shift.

Robert Mote

http://www.motagg.com

 

[KENAT]

"Spare Time at Work" error, input data does not compute, value is not within determined limits...

Wow spare time, that would be so nice. Sure my places have had cycles but these vary from busy, to very busy to so busy I wait till I'm about to wet myself or die from de-hydration or whatever before leaving my desk (or where ever I'm working).

When I'm only busy I do try to organize as others have said.

Find ways to make life easier for when you are busy, be it updating procedures etc, documenting best practice, creating standard formats for documents & calculations etc.

Time spent on education is probably a good idea if your employer doesn't take exception.

Come in on time, leave on time, spend more time with family, friends etc. Though as a government worker you do that already right;-).

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[csd72]

I forgot to mention that spare time means that you have no excuse not to do those mundane things like filing that you have put off while you were busy.

It is a time that separates the disciplined from the not so disciplined.

 

[kevindurette]

I get free coffee at work. I literally drink gallons when it's slow. I also farm the vending machines quite a bit.

In all seriousness, I actually started a project (yes, initiated, on my own volition) because I wanted to be challenged. I'm expanding the company's horizons by gathering an entire skill set that's currently lacking. I'm taking a Good Will Hunting approach to a master's degree by reading stuff online and on my own, watching video lectures I downloaded from my college before leaving and whatnot. Maybe one day, when I realize the company will never pay me what I'm worth, I'll have a resume worth five master's degrees. (This secondary project, and my blood-thirsty drive for continuing education, is much of the reason why I work 10 hour days.)

 

[kevindurette]

actually, working 10-11 when I could be working 6 and screwing off 2 like everyone else

 

[ykee]

Thanks for the replies...maybe I'll start a thread asking how people goof around at work

 

[GonzaloEE]

- Work out whatever to get more spare time: Excel macros, spreadsheets or small C programs to automate part lists or board documentation.
- Housekeeping: filing, cleaning the desk, virus scan, clearing the SPAM folder, etc.
- Sending emails to providers for tracking ongoing works. Googleing new components.
- Only once I had a circuit done during my spare time, a pretty simple power supply -still in the laptop HD :-(

 

[kevindurette]

I frequently use AutoHotkey to increase my efficiency. People wonder how I did what I did in the time I did it, and I just smile. That's why I have time to be on these forums. ;-)