How can I ensure future coworkers do not see my break schedule as laziness?

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I tend to take several breaks throughout the day in order to clear my head of my work and relax (and smoke a cigarette). Typically there are 2-5 of these each day.



At my current company, there are no problems since I typically am in the office at 5:45am and leave at 4pm with over 9 hours at my desk.



I am taking a new short term contract position and am worried these breaks will result in my new coworkers seeing me as being lazy. I want them to understand I typically take a short break when facing a problem I don't understand.



How can I ensure my new coworkers do not view my break schedule and work habits negatively after starting a new job?







share|improve this question






















  • Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
    – Joel Etherton
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:50
















up vote
11
down vote

favorite












I tend to take several breaks throughout the day in order to clear my head of my work and relax (and smoke a cigarette). Typically there are 2-5 of these each day.



At my current company, there are no problems since I typically am in the office at 5:45am and leave at 4pm with over 9 hours at my desk.



I am taking a new short term contract position and am worried these breaks will result in my new coworkers seeing me as being lazy. I want them to understand I typically take a short break when facing a problem I don't understand.



How can I ensure my new coworkers do not view my break schedule and work habits negatively after starting a new job?







share|improve this question






















  • Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
    – Joel Etherton
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:50












up vote
11
down vote

favorite









up vote
11
down vote

favorite











I tend to take several breaks throughout the day in order to clear my head of my work and relax (and smoke a cigarette). Typically there are 2-5 of these each day.



At my current company, there are no problems since I typically am in the office at 5:45am and leave at 4pm with over 9 hours at my desk.



I am taking a new short term contract position and am worried these breaks will result in my new coworkers seeing me as being lazy. I want them to understand I typically take a short break when facing a problem I don't understand.



How can I ensure my new coworkers do not view my break schedule and work habits negatively after starting a new job?







share|improve this question














I tend to take several breaks throughout the day in order to clear my head of my work and relax (and smoke a cigarette). Typically there are 2-5 of these each day.



At my current company, there are no problems since I typically am in the office at 5:45am and leave at 4pm with over 9 hours at my desk.



I am taking a new short term contract position and am worried these breaks will result in my new coworkers seeing me as being lazy. I want them to understand I typically take a short break when facing a problem I don't understand.



How can I ensure my new coworkers do not view my break schedule and work habits negatively after starting a new job?









share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Apr 7 '14 at 1:35









Elysian Fields♦

96.9k46292449




96.9k46292449










asked Apr 5 '14 at 23:40









Paul Muir

948617




948617











  • Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
    – Joel Etherton
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:50
















  • Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
    – Joel Etherton
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:50















Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
– Joel Etherton
Apr 6 '14 at 1:50




Don't worry about these breaks in the least. Everyone has their process and any company worth working for will be able to cope with it. I frequently walk out into the common area and think with a yoyo or juggling balls. 5-10 minutes is usually enough to figure whatever I need out. My coworkers tend to refer this as "consulting Master Yo".
– Joel Etherton
Apr 6 '14 at 1:50










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
11
down vote



accepted











Is there any suggestions on how to prepare for this and to kind of
test the waters in order to stay in the best light of my company while
performing optimal work quality?




Every company has a culture. Part of that culture relates to the intensity and continuity of the work, and the location, frequency, and duration of breaks.



As part of the interview process, it's a good idea to try and get a sense of the culture, to make sure it meets your personal needs. That can be hard at times, so you might have to get your clues after starting work.



Early in your tenure, look to your colleagues. See what they are doing, how often they break, if the breaks are formal, coordinated times, or just informal breaks. In particular, note the actions of the smokers.



Then, join in. During a smoke break with your new friends, casually ask about how these breaks are received.



After a short time, you'll certainly learn how others handle taking breaks, smoking, and which of them are high-performers. Compare their actions to those who take fewer, shorter breaks, and which of them are high-performers.



Then chose your actions to best meet your goals, based on your observations.






share|improve this answer






















  • Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 7 '14 at 0:32

















up vote
6
down vote













Any company worth working for will understand and respect that people need to take breaks in order to work effectively.



I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I work as a software developer and although I don't smoke, I step away from my desk at least every hour, if only to take a walk to the kitchen to get some water, or a slow walk to the toilet etc. It may only be for max 5 minutes, but it helps a lot. It's amazing how you can get fresh perspective on a problem etc when you take a step back away from your desk for a few minutes.



I'd be really surprised if a company took issue with people doing what they need to do, providing you're achieving the goals set out for you. Perhaps just do what you need to do and bring it up at your first 1:1 with your manager, or if they don't mention it and you're getting good feedback otherwise, keep quiet.



The only thing I would say is that people stepping away to smoke may get viewed in a different light to someone, say, popping away to get a glass of water or the like. As stated before, I don't smoke, but I've definitely seen a shift in attitude towards smokers at work in the UK in recent years and the numbers definitely seem to be dwindling in the smoking area down near the entrance to our building.



Still, if popping away for a cigarette helps you clear your head and the smell doesn't offend your colleagues then no harm done I say.






share|improve this answer






















  • Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:40










  • I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
    – Fiona - myaccessible.website
    Apr 7 '14 at 8:39

















up vote
3
down vote













Every industry, and every firm, has its own attitudes about this sort of thing, so if you don't know for sure, you should play it safe when taking a new job: IMO you need to do three things in order to figure out how best to handle this:




  1. If possible, bring it up at an interview: "At my previous job, I
    sometimes took a few breaks during the day to clear my head. They
    knew I was a good worker so it wasn't a problem. Would that be OK
    here?"



    Note: This is a subject that should be taken up with
    extreme care - with the right person, at the right time.



  2. Before you start taking many breaks, establish yourself as a good,
    industrious worker. Create some kind of track record of
    productivity, so that you won't be branded as a new slacker.

  3. Observe your co-workers: What do the veterans do? What is
    considered acceptable for them? That will give you an idea of what
    is within bounds.





share|improve this answer






















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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    11
    down vote



    accepted











    Is there any suggestions on how to prepare for this and to kind of
    test the waters in order to stay in the best light of my company while
    performing optimal work quality?




    Every company has a culture. Part of that culture relates to the intensity and continuity of the work, and the location, frequency, and duration of breaks.



    As part of the interview process, it's a good idea to try and get a sense of the culture, to make sure it meets your personal needs. That can be hard at times, so you might have to get your clues after starting work.



    Early in your tenure, look to your colleagues. See what they are doing, how often they break, if the breaks are formal, coordinated times, or just informal breaks. In particular, note the actions of the smokers.



    Then, join in. During a smoke break with your new friends, casually ask about how these breaks are received.



    After a short time, you'll certainly learn how others handle taking breaks, smoking, and which of them are high-performers. Compare their actions to those who take fewer, shorter breaks, and which of them are high-performers.



    Then chose your actions to best meet your goals, based on your observations.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 7 '14 at 0:32














    up vote
    11
    down vote



    accepted











    Is there any suggestions on how to prepare for this and to kind of
    test the waters in order to stay in the best light of my company while
    performing optimal work quality?




    Every company has a culture. Part of that culture relates to the intensity and continuity of the work, and the location, frequency, and duration of breaks.



    As part of the interview process, it's a good idea to try and get a sense of the culture, to make sure it meets your personal needs. That can be hard at times, so you might have to get your clues after starting work.



    Early in your tenure, look to your colleagues. See what they are doing, how often they break, if the breaks are formal, coordinated times, or just informal breaks. In particular, note the actions of the smokers.



    Then, join in. During a smoke break with your new friends, casually ask about how these breaks are received.



    After a short time, you'll certainly learn how others handle taking breaks, smoking, and which of them are high-performers. Compare their actions to those who take fewer, shorter breaks, and which of them are high-performers.



    Then chose your actions to best meet your goals, based on your observations.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 7 '14 at 0:32












    up vote
    11
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    11
    down vote



    accepted







    Is there any suggestions on how to prepare for this and to kind of
    test the waters in order to stay in the best light of my company while
    performing optimal work quality?




    Every company has a culture. Part of that culture relates to the intensity and continuity of the work, and the location, frequency, and duration of breaks.



    As part of the interview process, it's a good idea to try and get a sense of the culture, to make sure it meets your personal needs. That can be hard at times, so you might have to get your clues after starting work.



    Early in your tenure, look to your colleagues. See what they are doing, how often they break, if the breaks are formal, coordinated times, or just informal breaks. In particular, note the actions of the smokers.



    Then, join in. During a smoke break with your new friends, casually ask about how these breaks are received.



    After a short time, you'll certainly learn how others handle taking breaks, smoking, and which of them are high-performers. Compare their actions to those who take fewer, shorter breaks, and which of them are high-performers.



    Then chose your actions to best meet your goals, based on your observations.






    share|improve this answer















    Is there any suggestions on how to prepare for this and to kind of
    test the waters in order to stay in the best light of my company while
    performing optimal work quality?




    Every company has a culture. Part of that culture relates to the intensity and continuity of the work, and the location, frequency, and duration of breaks.



    As part of the interview process, it's a good idea to try and get a sense of the culture, to make sure it meets your personal needs. That can be hard at times, so you might have to get your clues after starting work.



    Early in your tenure, look to your colleagues. See what they are doing, how often they break, if the breaks are formal, coordinated times, or just informal breaks. In particular, note the actions of the smokers.



    Then, join in. During a smoke break with your new friends, casually ask about how these breaks are received.



    After a short time, you'll certainly learn how others handle taking breaks, smoking, and which of them are high-performers. Compare their actions to those who take fewer, shorter breaks, and which of them are high-performers.



    Then chose your actions to best meet your goals, based on your observations.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Apr 7 '14 at 12:25

























    answered Apr 6 '14 at 23:17









    Joe Strazzere

    224k107661930




    224k107661930











    • Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 7 '14 at 0:32
















    • Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 7 '14 at 0:32















    Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 7 '14 at 0:32




    Great suggestions Joe, will definitely try this out. I am probably overthinking it honestly but it's a short term contract that I am moving 2200 miles for. I really want to leave a great impression and hopefully extend or go FTE.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 7 '14 at 0:32












    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Any company worth working for will understand and respect that people need to take breaks in order to work effectively.



    I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I work as a software developer and although I don't smoke, I step away from my desk at least every hour, if only to take a walk to the kitchen to get some water, or a slow walk to the toilet etc. It may only be for max 5 minutes, but it helps a lot. It's amazing how you can get fresh perspective on a problem etc when you take a step back away from your desk for a few minutes.



    I'd be really surprised if a company took issue with people doing what they need to do, providing you're achieving the goals set out for you. Perhaps just do what you need to do and bring it up at your first 1:1 with your manager, or if they don't mention it and you're getting good feedback otherwise, keep quiet.



    The only thing I would say is that people stepping away to smoke may get viewed in a different light to someone, say, popping away to get a glass of water or the like. As stated before, I don't smoke, but I've definitely seen a shift in attitude towards smokers at work in the UK in recent years and the numbers definitely seem to be dwindling in the smoking area down near the entrance to our building.



    Still, if popping away for a cigarette helps you clear your head and the smell doesn't offend your colleagues then no harm done I say.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 6 '14 at 1:40










    • I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
      – Fiona - myaccessible.website
      Apr 7 '14 at 8:39














    up vote
    6
    down vote













    Any company worth working for will understand and respect that people need to take breaks in order to work effectively.



    I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I work as a software developer and although I don't smoke, I step away from my desk at least every hour, if only to take a walk to the kitchen to get some water, or a slow walk to the toilet etc. It may only be for max 5 minutes, but it helps a lot. It's amazing how you can get fresh perspective on a problem etc when you take a step back away from your desk for a few minutes.



    I'd be really surprised if a company took issue with people doing what they need to do, providing you're achieving the goals set out for you. Perhaps just do what you need to do and bring it up at your first 1:1 with your manager, or if they don't mention it and you're getting good feedback otherwise, keep quiet.



    The only thing I would say is that people stepping away to smoke may get viewed in a different light to someone, say, popping away to get a glass of water or the like. As stated before, I don't smoke, but I've definitely seen a shift in attitude towards smokers at work in the UK in recent years and the numbers definitely seem to be dwindling in the smoking area down near the entrance to our building.



    Still, if popping away for a cigarette helps you clear your head and the smell doesn't offend your colleagues then no harm done I say.






    share|improve this answer






















    • Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 6 '14 at 1:40










    • I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
      – Fiona - myaccessible.website
      Apr 7 '14 at 8:39












    up vote
    6
    down vote










    up vote
    6
    down vote









    Any company worth working for will understand and respect that people need to take breaks in order to work effectively.



    I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I work as a software developer and although I don't smoke, I step away from my desk at least every hour, if only to take a walk to the kitchen to get some water, or a slow walk to the toilet etc. It may only be for max 5 minutes, but it helps a lot. It's amazing how you can get fresh perspective on a problem etc when you take a step back away from your desk for a few minutes.



    I'd be really surprised if a company took issue with people doing what they need to do, providing you're achieving the goals set out for you. Perhaps just do what you need to do and bring it up at your first 1:1 with your manager, or if they don't mention it and you're getting good feedback otherwise, keep quiet.



    The only thing I would say is that people stepping away to smoke may get viewed in a different light to someone, say, popping away to get a glass of water or the like. As stated before, I don't smoke, but I've definitely seen a shift in attitude towards smokers at work in the UK in recent years and the numbers definitely seem to be dwindling in the smoking area down near the entrance to our building.



    Still, if popping away for a cigarette helps you clear your head and the smell doesn't offend your colleagues then no harm done I say.






    share|improve this answer














    Any company worth working for will understand and respect that people need to take breaks in order to work effectively.



    I'm not sure what industry you work in, but I work as a software developer and although I don't smoke, I step away from my desk at least every hour, if only to take a walk to the kitchen to get some water, or a slow walk to the toilet etc. It may only be for max 5 minutes, but it helps a lot. It's amazing how you can get fresh perspective on a problem etc when you take a step back away from your desk for a few minutes.



    I'd be really surprised if a company took issue with people doing what they need to do, providing you're achieving the goals set out for you. Perhaps just do what you need to do and bring it up at your first 1:1 with your manager, or if they don't mention it and you're getting good feedback otherwise, keep quiet.



    The only thing I would say is that people stepping away to smoke may get viewed in a different light to someone, say, popping away to get a glass of water or the like. As stated before, I don't smoke, but I've definitely seen a shift in attitude towards smokers at work in the UK in recent years and the numbers definitely seem to be dwindling in the smoking area down near the entrance to our building.



    Still, if popping away for a cigarette helps you clear your head and the smell doesn't offend your colleagues then no harm done I say.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Apr 6 '14 at 0:32

























    answered Apr 6 '14 at 0:24









    Michael

    1613




    1613











    • Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 6 '14 at 1:40










    • I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
      – Fiona - myaccessible.website
      Apr 7 '14 at 8:39
















    • Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
      – Paul Muir
      Apr 6 '14 at 1:40










    • I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
      – Fiona - myaccessible.website
      Apr 7 '14 at 8:39















    Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:40




    Yeah, smoking has a bit of a stigma with it. I plan to quit during the move and have been doing well towards it but I would still take my breaks.
    – Paul Muir
    Apr 6 '14 at 1:40












    I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
    – Fiona - myaccessible.website
    Apr 7 '14 at 8:39




    I agree actually that the smoking aspect is the thing that may be perceived as negative. People thinking "If I smoked, I'd get a 10 min break every hour" without realising that walking to get a coffee etc is the same thing
    – Fiona - myaccessible.website
    Apr 7 '14 at 8:39










    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Every industry, and every firm, has its own attitudes about this sort of thing, so if you don't know for sure, you should play it safe when taking a new job: IMO you need to do three things in order to figure out how best to handle this:




    1. If possible, bring it up at an interview: "At my previous job, I
      sometimes took a few breaks during the day to clear my head. They
      knew I was a good worker so it wasn't a problem. Would that be OK
      here?"



      Note: This is a subject that should be taken up with
      extreme care - with the right person, at the right time.



    2. Before you start taking many breaks, establish yourself as a good,
      industrious worker. Create some kind of track record of
      productivity, so that you won't be branded as a new slacker.

    3. Observe your co-workers: What do the veterans do? What is
      considered acceptable for them? That will give you an idea of what
      is within bounds.





    share|improve this answer


























      up vote
      3
      down vote













      Every industry, and every firm, has its own attitudes about this sort of thing, so if you don't know for sure, you should play it safe when taking a new job: IMO you need to do three things in order to figure out how best to handle this:




      1. If possible, bring it up at an interview: "At my previous job, I
        sometimes took a few breaks during the day to clear my head. They
        knew I was a good worker so it wasn't a problem. Would that be OK
        here?"



        Note: This is a subject that should be taken up with
        extreme care - with the right person, at the right time.



      2. Before you start taking many breaks, establish yourself as a good,
        industrious worker. Create some kind of track record of
        productivity, so that you won't be branded as a new slacker.

      3. Observe your co-workers: What do the veterans do? What is
        considered acceptable for them? That will give you an idea of what
        is within bounds.





      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        3
        down vote










        up vote
        3
        down vote









        Every industry, and every firm, has its own attitudes about this sort of thing, so if you don't know for sure, you should play it safe when taking a new job: IMO you need to do three things in order to figure out how best to handle this:




        1. If possible, bring it up at an interview: "At my previous job, I
          sometimes took a few breaks during the day to clear my head. They
          knew I was a good worker so it wasn't a problem. Would that be OK
          here?"



          Note: This is a subject that should be taken up with
          extreme care - with the right person, at the right time.



        2. Before you start taking many breaks, establish yourself as a good,
          industrious worker. Create some kind of track record of
          productivity, so that you won't be branded as a new slacker.

        3. Observe your co-workers: What do the veterans do? What is
          considered acceptable for them? That will give you an idea of what
          is within bounds.





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        Every industry, and every firm, has its own attitudes about this sort of thing, so if you don't know for sure, you should play it safe when taking a new job: IMO you need to do three things in order to figure out how best to handle this:




        1. If possible, bring it up at an interview: "At my previous job, I
          sometimes took a few breaks during the day to clear my head. They
          knew I was a good worker so it wasn't a problem. Would that be OK
          here?"



          Note: This is a subject that should be taken up with
          extreme care - with the right person, at the right time.



        2. Before you start taking many breaks, establish yourself as a good,
          industrious worker. Create some kind of track record of
          productivity, so that you won't be branded as a new slacker.

        3. Observe your co-workers: What do the veterans do? What is
          considered acceptable for them? That will give you an idea of what
          is within bounds.






        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Apr 6 '14 at 1:52

























        answered Apr 6 '14 at 1:43









        Vector

        2,745819




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