Is walking around in a software environment typically allowed?

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

I work as a software developer.

I have written on my personal web site that I find walking around to be an important part of the way I work. I see two reasons for this: first, I find it uncomfortable to sit all day, and second, I feel that it is necessary to get away from the code to take a broader look without being distracted by everything else on my workstation.

To be very specific, I mean that I get up out of my seat and walk around outside for 15-20 minutes, usually once in the morning and once after lunch.

Some of my co-workers have told me that they have worked places where this is not allowed. They tell me that they would be reprimanded by HR personnel for doing so (In HR's mind, someone walking around is not 'working'. We know this is wrong; they don't).

I would like to know, from those who are more experienced, which attitude is more representative of software development. Is walking around generally considered permissible?

manpreet 2 years ago

This is actually a good argument for making sure developers are on salary. A salaried individual is paid based on results, not by hours worked. Therefore, as long as you're getting your work done and meeting your goals, the finer micro-details, such as how long your break is and what you choose to do with that break time, should really be no one's business but yours. This is of course just my expert opinion, but that opinion is based on observations and experiences working in environments where management stays out of your way.

Of course, different workplaces will look at this differently. It's your responsibility when looking for a job to properly evaluate your employer, and you can sometimes do this just by observing the way people behave in the office. You can also tell a lot about the design of the office. Is it a bland cube farm? Or do they have foosball tables, ping pong tables, and other amenities that seem to suggest it would be okay to get up and move around?

On one particular instance where I looked for a job, I actually called the customer service line, mentioned I was applying, and asked the representative a few questions about how he/she liked working at the company. The responses helped give me a perspective from a non-manager as to what I was getting myself into.

Consider that any business worth working for will probably want their employees to stay healthy, and considering the heath hazards of sitting at a desk all day, some will likely encourage you to get up and move around. If it's not already clear, I strongly suggest staying away from organizations that would have a problem with you getting up and walking around. It's their decision to decide how they want to manage their staff, and it's your decision to look for better employment if one particular employer has a restrictive management style.