Do We Need (More) Rules to "Unplug?"​

Organizational Challenges
Written By Dr. Philip D. Mann, PMP, PMI-RMP

After a few posts about how we need to pass France-like laws to force people to stop working after they are done working, I started looking at whether this is really a problem. I know the statistics and studies that tell how people go on vacation and try to keep up with their emails and such, but I are those choices reasonable? What I mean by "reasonable" is, "Do those choices make sense in the context of the legal and ethical structure of their work agreement?" Turns out, checking email "off the clock" is dead at the first hurdle -- it isn't legal whether exempt or not. Here's a good summary:

ARTICLE: “Working Off-the Clock: Is It Ever Legal?” by Katherine Muniz

A key part is that employers are allowing workers to conduct tasks off the clock, which is as illegal as requiring it. In fact, this permissive sense may be what some are hiding behind, such as, "Well, I didn't make her answer her phone..." Maybe we don't need a new law telling companies it is illegal; maybe we just need to enforce the laws we already have. Maybe we just need to make sure that we know what is or is not required before negotiating compensation. After all, if you figure what you need to make per hour, adding an overtime value for how much you expect to work outside of normal work hours, wouldn't that change the figure by quite a bit? Would that make it worth it to you?

Note: This post first appeared as a LinkedIn blog by Dr. Mann on January 20, 2017.

Dr. Philip D. Mann, PMP, PMI-RMP

Dr. Philip D. Mann brings 17 years of experience at the Federal Aviation Administration to the intersection of artificial intelligence, safety systems, and organizational risk management. As an internationally recognized expert in aviation operations and safety, Dr. Mann has appeared in major news outlets providing critical analysis on aviation incidents and safety protocols.

Currently affiliated with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Dr. Mann combines academic rigor with real-world operational expertise. With a PhD in Organization and Management, complemented by an MBA, MPA, and BS in Business Management, Dr. Mann bridges the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical implementation. Professional certifications include PMP and PMI-RMP credentials from the Project Management Institute.

Dr. Mann's forthcoming book, The SCAR Framework: A Systematic Approach to AI Decision-Making in Critical Systems, provides executives and safety professionals with a field-tested methodology for determining when and how to responsibly implement artificial intelligence in high-stakes environments. The framework—addressing Safety, Complexity, Accountability, and Resilience—emerged from extensive research in transportation, healthcare, defense, and public infrastructure sectors.

Specializing in project management, organizational behavior, and educational technologies, Dr. Mann consults with organizations navigating the complex landscape of digital transformation in safety-critical operations. Their work emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, risk quantification, and the human factors essential to the successful integration of technology.

When not analyzing safety systems or developing risk management strategies, Dr. Mann pursues science-based bodybuilding and is actively learning Latin American Spanish—disciplines that reinforce the same systematic approach to excellence that characterizes their professional work.

https://www.scarframework.com
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