@ Dot, I didn’t know that law firms were moving into task-based billing. I’m so used to associating lawyers with hourly rates. Limited bathroom privileges at Google? Yikes! That must have changed, because Google is now Fortune’s #1 best company to work for: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2008/snapshots/1.html

“I still have one big question that wasn’t really answered in the book. The idea is that you can do whatever you want, as long as the job gets done. But in a job where we’re not judged by time, what constitutes getting the job done?” That’s the crux of the issue if you ask me. The manufacturing model (widgets) doersn’t work for offices or for intellectual property.

“Lawyers are effective with every hour billed (no Twitter at work for them), and their hourly rate reflects their results…” That’s the ideal, but it’s not always the reality. Law firm clients are gradually insisting on “task-based” billing where possible, so they can pay a fixed price for a certain service, because getting paid by the hour rewards slowness.

@Marelisa – “… tell your boss when you have to get up to go to the bathroom …” That’s exactly one of the complaints I read a few years ago about the Google environment. It was supposed to be one of the worst places to work. Perhaps it’s changed since then.

Dot´s last blog post..How to Get Published

I do see how it works well in some of the environments you’ve described. I agree, many would hate to see a ROWE implemented if it meant their time and/or results were measured. Heads might start rolling.

Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..When Your Truth Is Different Than Mine

@ Alex, I can see how that would save your sanity. At a lot of places, if you finish your work you can’t let anyone know, or they’ll think your job isn’t necessary. Or they’ll just give you more work, in which case, you’ll learn not to get your work done so fast.

@ Maria, it’s definitely shocking to us today. And yet, people can’t usually give a specific reason why it’s not ideal. The most common objection is that work can’t get done if people aren’t physically together, and I’m going to talk about that in another post.

@ Karl, it seems so simple when you put it that way, doesn’t it?

@ Kathy, when results like that come to light, I don’t see why other departments need to feel threatened. They can implement ROWE themselves! Imagine, happier employees and better results.

It’s as if you were a fly on the wall listening to our conversation the other night when you wrote, “One thing we know for sure is that ROWE will not be a welcome change to useless employees who don’t do anything but still manage to survive in the current socialistic system.”

Her department was the only one to hit their numbers last quarter and that has really stirred things up there. Before the numbers came to light, there were snickers because the other department heads were SURE that the new “lax” work environment would be a loser. Now that it’s showing results so quickly, interaction with other departments is getting REALLY UGLY now.

By the way, my friend wouldn’t give up her current position for TWICE the salary because she loves the ROWE environment. It’s all the freedom of having your own business without all the hassles! Imagine, doing JUST what you love and none of the stuff you hate. That’s what it’s like when your company embraces ROWE.

Kathy – Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Disappointing customers without remorse – until the handouts begin

Karl – Work Happy Now´s last blog post..Day 8 of 30 – No Complaining

Marelisa´s last blog post..99 Powerful Questions to Ask to Turbocharge Your Life

I use Best Buy as a case study in a change management class that I teach and it’s always met with a certain amount of shock – even by young 20 somethings. People just can’t imagine a world in which you aren’t required to be anywhere, at any time, so it’s going to be a while before this idea becomes mainstreamed. I think for now, freelancing and entrepreneurship – especially in the 4 Hour Workweek model – is the answer for most people seeking a ROWE lifestyle.

@Marelisa – Google doesn’t have a ROWE, they have lots of cool benefits for their employees. That’s great, but it’s fundamentally different from having no meetings, no seat time requirements, and very solid performance metrics.

Maria | Never the Same River Twice´s last blog post..My 4 Hour Workweek Update: What Do You Do When Your Free VA Quits?

Since I work in highly productive bursts followed by total escapism, this worked wonderfully for me.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post..Dedicate Yourself to Life, Not Work