Is corporate culture due for an overhaul?

This nation’s beliefs about the workplace are “outdated, outmoded, out to lunch,” say authors Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson in their book “Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It.”

They have a long list of dislikes about American business culture, chief among them the myth that “time + physical presence + hard work = results.” They say the outdated idea that businesses reward long hours over efficient hours – they call it “presenteeism” – needs to change.

That part I can go along with. I used to work with a guy who liked to brag about the long hours he spent in the office late at night and on weekends, but who spent the first hour of every workday reading the newspaper in the men’s room.

The book’s authors promote a paradigm shift, drastically changing the workplace game to the premise that “people can do whatever they want, whenever they want, as long as the work gets done.” They call it a Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE).

Reshape the way we think about work, the authors urge, by giving workers more control. Their mantra: “Work isn’t a place you go, it’s something you do.”

If you’re a manager, parts of this book will no doubt make you squirm. But it’s an interesting, fast read (201 pages) that may give you some fresh ideas for re-energizing the workplace.

-- Kevin

Comments

[Cali and Jody]

Kevin - glad you enjoyed the book. We've heard that some managers do indeed squirm when they read certain parts!

Your story about the colleague that bragged about his long hours and read the paper in the men' room is fantastic. And that happens all over the country - because we reward time vs. results. Time to turn that around!

Cali & Jody

[Steve Cissel]

Sorry, I don't have time to read this blog post cause I've got to get to work.

Will check out the book though ")

Steve

[greg draiss]

I am sick and tired of self help for corporate America books and lectures. As far as a ROWE........good way to put your company on the fast track to demise. ROWE works at companies like GOOGLE, for awhile. And should only work that way when the company is new and small. My company has over 800 employees. If did the RWOE system there would be 800 ways of runing a register, answering the phone, refunding a purchase etc.

I like the old incentive plan.do a good job today then you may come back the next day. Not that drastic but just the basic: work, do your job well, pinch in and help when needed, do more than asked, and don't keep score.