Integrators and Segmentors
March 24, 2007 | In: General Discussions
Interesting article from the Wharton School of Business about company perks.
The article was interesting more of the same w/ regards to the perks provided by companies like Google.
I’ll draw attention to discussion of Integrators and Segmentors.
Perks like Google’s appeal to integrators, people for whom work life and home life have little distinction. These are the employees who like to plug into the wi-fi system on Google’s commuter bus and do work as they ride to and from the office; who check office e-mail frequently at home on nights and weekends; and who like child-care facilities at or near their office so that they can bring a part of home with them to work.
Segmentors, by contrast, like to maintain distinct walls between work and home. These are people made uncomfortable by a workplace filled with perks related to one’s personal life. Even employees with children can dislike the fact that their employer provides on-site childcare.
It’s important to note that an integrator is no better an employee than a segmentor. There’s a time and place for both.
Personally, I’m an integrator.
I’m young and enjoy what I do but there are plenty of times when I wish I could easily separate my home and work lives, it’s difficult. And that’s just me being an employee of a Company that doesn’t provide a lot of perks. A laptop and free pop/dinners (if you’re there late) is about as far as it goes, but I’m happy. I couldn’t imagine being in such a perk-filled environment as Google (or companies like it) provides.