Is reading the Elsmar Cove a legitimate work related activity

[kgott]

Each morning when I get to work I tend to allocate the first hour to reading the new posts in the last 24 hours or looking up something in particular.

However; sometimes I wonder if my employer would be happy about this if they knew.

Outside work I have another life and I do like to get away from work anyway but I have on rare occasions; read the cove on a weekend and at night at home.

I just wondering what others think? is reading the cove on a daily basis at work a legitimate work related activity or not?

 

[Pancho]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

However; sometimes I wonder if my employer would be happy about this if they knew.

The golden rule applies here. They've purchased your time. If you are unsure, why don't you just ask her?

 

[Dan M]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

I have a weekly review of the Cove as a recurring task. This is documented in a permanent corrective action plan in response to a nonconformity that was written by our ISO 9001 registrar auditor. I can't even remember what the specific nonconformity was, but he root cause was not staying up-to-date on changes to the standard and keeping informed about the latest interpretations. The Cove is a very useful tool for accomplishing this. I would not say that an hour is too much time to spend each day reading the Cove if you need to learn as much as you can about the various topics. I guess it really depends if you're still getting the work done. You did not state your profession, but I would presume that if you're on the Cove you are in a quality related field. If that is the case I would think that your employer would be grateful that you're showing initiative in trying to better your understanding.

 

[Randy]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

Do you have any business related periodicals like magazines or papers you regularly read? What's the difference?

 

[harry]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

For the nature and characteristic of the job that I am doing, I consider the first one or two hours of the day the most important followed by the last hour of the day. In between, it is monitoring activities during which, I can have time to carry out activities like reading the cove or periodicals like what the others had mentioned.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

Each morning when I get to work I tend to allocate the first hour to reading the new posts in the last 24 hours or looking up something in particular.

However; sometimes I wonder if my employer would be happy about this if they knew.

Outside work I have another life and I do like to get away from work anyway but I have on rare occasions; read the cove on a weekend and at night at home.

I just wondering what others think? is reading the cove on a daily basis at work a legitimate work related activity or not?

I think it depends on what forums you are visiting - Coffee Break and Controversial topics probably would not be very palatable to a boss if he/she knew.

Just for the heck of it, why not keep a log for a week to tally whether you do glean some pearls from all the oyster spawn? When you do find something that has direct value to your work - give the Cove part of the credit!


FWIW:
When I was reading 10 to 20 trade journals and magazines a month (before the internet), I read them on my own time and tore out pages of good stuff which I kept in a file.

I learned a ton of stuff about plating that many of the executives at plating companies weren't up to date on because of my subscriptions to two magazines on metal finishing. Those articles led me to the manufacturers of chemicals and other stuff for the plating industry to get definitive data. Surprisingly, they were ALWAYS eager to answer questions, give samples, and offer tours.

 

[Marc]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

As one person wrote:

Marc,

I was ready for a fight but I received no challenge whatsoever from RABQSA.

I was careful only to submit the posts for which I had been thanked by fellow Covers.

Over the three years that amounted to 47 pages of post headings which I submitted so they would not have to bother you with the verification.

Sure, advertise the fact that I was able to use my posts (for which I had been thanked) as part of my evidence of CPD.

On the log I made it clear that posting on the Cove forced me to research the question, read and think around the subject and then express myself clearly with a helpful response.

It's all good or not so bad!

Many thanks,

John

 

[Steve Prevette]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

Does your employer require you to have "professional development" and/or keeping up with current practices? Reading (and more importantly participating on) the Cove can be used as an indicator of that in the annual performance review . . .

 

[PaulJSmith]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

I just wondering what others think? is reading the cove on a daily basis at work a legitimate work related activity or not?

I certainly hope so, as I do it, too...checking for new and interesting or relevant topics while my hot tea is steeping (like I'm doing now).

 

[metsmark]

Re: Is reading the Cove a legitimate work related activity

Absolutely! Elsmar Cove is a great research tool.
I felt a bit apprehensive spending "company time" on here at first... but at the end of the day the attitude here is, whatever it takes to get the job done.