ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > September > 10
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
No meetings and no work schedules: No kidding!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You go to interview for a job and the hiring manager states that there are no meetings, and no set work schedules. You can come and go from the office as you please, you can work from home or while on the beach as long as you get your job done. You are judged by your results, not the amount of hours you put on the clock.
No, you are not dreaming. Welcome to the world of ROWE, which stands for “Results Oriented Work Environment.” Best Buy is perhaps the best example of a corporate workplace putting this system into practice. This article in Business Week outlines the steps the company took to successfully roll out ROWE across corporate headquarters, and plans are to implement the system at stores as well. The article states that “Since the program’s implementation, average voluntary turnover has fallen drastically, CultureRx says. Meanwhile, Best Buy notes that productivity is up an average 35% in departments that have switched to ROWE.”
Proponents of ROWE state that by focusing solely on output and allowing employees more freedom to work the way that is most effective for them, management will see an increase in productivity and a boost in staff morale. Of course, more traditionally-minded bosses fear that by not being able to keep a physical eye on their staff, many may slack off and not get the job done, and that teamwork will suffer with a staff that is scattered geographically.
What do you think about ROWE? Would you like to see this system of working implemented at your job?
