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Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by gdulli on Friday April 28, 2017 @09:57AM (#14219376)
That's a narrow view and inaccurate over the long run. I make more money than my colleagues who only do what they're asked to do. And if my company has layoffs I'm one of the last who would be let go.
Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by ryandrake on Friday April 28, 2017 @11:19AM (#14220069)
In many layoff scenarios, the first to be let go are often the most expensive ones (the ones who make more than their colleagues who only do what they're asked to).
Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by gdulli on Friday April 28, 2017 @01:23PM (#14221301)
I've seen the best people let go only in cases where an entire department was laid off as a whole unit. In cases where people were selectively let go I've never seen it be the top performers.
Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by coldtea on Friday April 28, 2017 @10:51AM (#14219811)
>I make more money than my colleagues who only do what they're asked to do.

That's not the case everywhere though, which is the observation that TFA and the parent were starting from. Obviously if you do make more it's ok.

>And if my company has layoffs I'm one of the last who would be let go.

You'd be surprised how many people thought that and got the short end of the stick.

Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by chrisbennet on Friday April 28, 2017 @11:14AM (#14220030)
">And if my company has layoffs I'm one of the last who would be let go. You'd be surprised how many people thought that and got the short end of the stick."

It's a delusion that helps people sleep at night...

Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by gdulli on Friday April 28, 2017 @01:29PM (#14221355)
Since it's both logical and fits with 20 years of observed experience it's reasonable for me to act as if it's accurate. Despite exceptions and anecdotes to the contrary.

The times I've been at a company where shitty politics supersede reasonable practices, I've left. And having a resume with greater achievements makes this easier than a resume with fewer.

Re:Should I fire an engineer for working on his side project... by coldtea on Friday April 28, 2017 @01:54PM (#14221573)
>Since it's both logical and fits with 20 years of observed experience

The famous example Taleb uses in his book is the Thanksgiving turkey.

"Consider a turkey that is fed every day," Taleb writes. "Every single feeding will firm up the bird's belief that it is the general rule of life to be fed every day by friendly members of the human race 'looking out for its best interests,' as a politician would say.

"On the afternoon of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, something unexpected will happen to the turkey. It will incur a revision of belief."

http://www.businessinsider.com/nassim-talebs-black-swan-than...