Comments on: Why Jobs Don’t Need Core Hours

By: Hunter Nuttall

Hunter Nuttall — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 02:32:47 +0000

@ J.D., yes, I’d consider you lucky to work in a value-based environment. As you observed firsthand, you have to figure out a new way to work, but ultimately it’s better for everyone.

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:09:16 +0000

I've been lucky that my manager always focused on results over time -- so value-based vs. time-based. The first few years it sucked. Eventually I realized I had to timebox my week and find a way to flow value. Then I found the magic of life balance and how liberating it was too figure out new ways to get more effective and amplify impact. J.D. Meier´s last blog post..My Favorite Personal Development Books

By: Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius

Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:53:08 +0000

I have to admit, I have not read the "Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It " book. But I really liked some of the points your brought up. I have long been an advocate of a hybrid kind of workplace where core business hours AND results were considered in the formula for workday flexibility. Granted I have never worked in manufacturing or other production-only environments, but with knowledge workers my favorite hybrid setup always worked. I believe in hiring people who are smart enough to work together and deliver results to their customers. Startups within companies is something I am a big fan of and that helps people in creating flexibility for themselves collaboratively. These all concepts are not new, just more businesses need to pilot them and try them. Employee retention is such a big headache these days. We also cry about escalating costs. Well... this workday flexibility perks cost almost nothing (unless we put telecommuting into the mix). Why not try to figure out how to make that work for you? I have lead business operations in companies where we gave our teams flexibility and the result was better morale and higher dedication to our firms. Just my 2 cents. Apolinaras Sinkevicius Apolinaras "Apollo" Sinkevicius´s last blog post..If your staff does not get it, neither will the customer!

By: Vicki

Vicki — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:37:17 +0000

I'm lucky enough to work in a ROWE (although no one ever says it that way and this is the first time I've seen the acronym). Everyone in my team gets in a their usual time - which varies from 7am to 10am. Sometimes people are later than usual; when that happens, they let the team know. Most people work an (approximately) 8 hour day ( assume!), but that's not tracked because we all know the work will get done. Sometimes there are late hours. Sometimes people leave early for an appointment or child's activity r because they have a headache. Most of the people in the team work at least one day a week from home; several of us work from home two days a week. Those who don't, chose not to because they feel that they are more productive in the office environment. This is the most flexible work environment I've ever been in and I relish it. The office is 45 minutes (by car if traffic is light) from my house. I take a train/shuttle combination. The commute isn't fun but it's only 3 days a week. The job (good) co-workers, and flexible schedule make it something I hope to keep for as long as possible. Vicki´s last blog post..What Advice Would You Give? (Part 2)

By: Jen Harris

Jen Harris — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:53:11 +0000

I love the ROWE gals!
I started communicating with Cali & Jody at my previous job and loved their message of results only.
Currently, and ironically, I am now working for a time tracking company that helps companies keep track of their employees time & attendance. Now, this could totally go against the grain of ROWE’s philosophy of “if you are getting your work done, who cares when you are doing it”. Totally true, but there are exceptions of results only when it comes to hourly labor workers. Our best customers are freelancers and construction companies that have to invoice for their time, which will make them more accountable to their clients which will lead to more trust and more jobs.
Hello & great job Cali & Jody! You are doing Corporate America a great service and letting them know that work is no longer a 8-5 job! Thank you!
-jen

Jen Harris´s last blog post..Children�s Stories and Productivity

By: Jim Gaudet

Jim Gaudet — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:53:52 +0000

Wow Hunter, you always touch the subjects closest to me… How is that??

Anyway, I have some personal experience on this subject. I have been a Network Admin for many years (way too many, feeling old) and this is a real pain in the ass.

— Off Topic – If this were Walmart, get here on time – –

Now, I had to work on 30+ servers and we have to deal with all sorts of options. This was a health care organization, so downtime is not an option. We had to schedule all maintenance and security updates (along with testing all patches on QA servers first). This would need to be done in the middle of the night, so I would have to work all night twice a month. The next day I was supposed to be in at 8am! My boss thought that if the Manager (ME) was not in on time, then my employees would not respect me. I told him that I had a deal with my employees that on this day I would come in at 10, and work later.

Anyway, long story short, I was docked pay for being late and I never did those updates again. I decided to start taking the systems down during the day (my working hours). This pissed everyone off in the company, including the CEO, and we have to move back to our scheduled maintenance, and I was able to come in at 10.

We decided to start a schedule for the IT team.. My secretary and one tech was in by 8am, the second tech was in at 9 and I came in at 10 every day. WE were now able to cover all the hours in a day, and more with everyone being happy.

I have so much more, just don’t want to clog up your comments…

Jim Gaudet´s last blog post..This is Way too Personal�

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:33:01 +0000

If the "9to5" world had been ROWE focused when I was in it, I might have stayed instead of jumping into my own business. I love the idea of Results-based work. To me, it just makes sense. Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..The First Step is Getting Off the Floor: Naomi Dunford Interview

By: Betsy Wuebker

Betsy Wuebker — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:55:41 +0000

Hi Hunter – I’m a big fan of ROWE – Cali and Jody are right here in my Minneapolis area back yard. I believe a big reason folks turn to entrepreneurial activities is because they need ROWE and that’s the only way they’re going to get it.

I agree with your reasoning on client expectations and how you can meet them without having to be in the office. I’ve experimented even further with ROWE in my own company in efforts to work remotely and those experiments have been very successful.

The key is work/life INTEGRATION, not balance, though everyone and their brother seems to be striving for balance. Balance implies something should be taken away from something and given to another. Why not just aim for seamless meshing? Is work so crappy that it needs to be separated from the rest of what we do? That’s what trying to balance implies to me – like the scales of justice or something.

Anyway, although you’re preaching to the choir with me, I’m happy you’re looking at this issue and promoting it.

Betsy Wuebker´s last blog post..EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED . . .