Results-Only Work Environment

December 7, 2006 · Filed Under Adventures in (Mis)Management, Slacking Off at Work 

Tiffany at “Pote Magico de Trabajos” posted about ROWE again and I thought I’d throw myself in that mix.

First of all, work places should already be results only.  This is, of course, laughable.  Between mandatory Monday - Friday meetings and archaic attendance policies, your best performer might be on a written warning even though (with absences), they meet your expectations otherwise as an employee.

Second of all, I loathe meetings.  I hate them with a passion. If I am in a meeting, it should be with a future employee, a current employee with an issue or hiring managers.  I like being part of strategic planning but I hate the meetings associated with them.  I just want to submit my work and answer any questions. If we can’t figure things out in normal meetings in a half an hour, the meeting leader was poorly prepared or we were poorly prepared.

I am also a meeting jumper.  As soon as it digresses, I am out of the door. No permission asked.

So to say that ROWE appeals to me is an understatement. But that is only personally. I know I could handle it and it would be likely that I would be working nearly the same hours.
Professionally? It would pretty much be a nightmare year of transition. If I managed to survive, we would probably be okay after that first year.

Training management to judge people only on results.  To set goals, hard goals, achievable goals.  Again, management.  To go to meetings optional.  *insert scary music* The execs would want to hit the eject button a week into it.

I am sure the consulting helps but trying to beat that day to day habit of meetings, checking in, impromptu meeting, checking in, etc… That’s ingrained.  From the first day of work on. And breaking that habit is something that I don’t know if I would be ready for.

So how about you? Could you take that on? Could you work in an environment where you were judged solely on the results you produce? Would it be a discipline challenge for you?

Check out HRM Today for the latest in the HR blogosphere.

Comments

6 Responses to “Results-Only Work Environment”

  1. FRACAT - Free Resume and Career Toolbox - Home on January 8th, 2007 6:03 am

    [...] While most of us don’t live in a purely results-oriented work environment, your boss is still measuring you on results. [...]

  2. YourHRGuy.com » Blog Archive » Your HR Guy hates Attendance Issues on March 12th, 2007 9:28 pm

    [...] how I loathe ye great attendance policy. My post on ROWE is the only time I’ve mentioned my despise for workplace attendance policies.  There are a [...]

  3. Tammy S on March 18th, 2007 8:55 pm

    Man, this is wonderful, but unfortunately I work in a sweat-shop environment where managers feel that if they don’t see you, you’re not working. But, I’m basically field-based, have always done more work at home and on the road than I ever did in the office. My employer has given me absolutely everything I need to do well in a ROWE arrangement. I’ve begged for a telecommuting plan..but came up empty. One thing I really wouldn’t miss, my coworkers running their mouths all day.

    [Reply]

  4. Michel Mooij on June 29th, 2007 3:35 am

    Nice name: Result-Only Work Environment.

    With a high performance workstyle you’re free tot choose any environment tot work.

    [Reply]

  5. ROWE is dead and I am sad | YourHRGuy.com on July 22nd, 2008 8:47 am

    [...] know that this is a hard thing to swallow from someone who has very much advocated ROWE in the past. There are some things holding people back from advocating ROWE and I want to [...]

  6. Scott Semple on July 22nd, 2008 12:15 pm

    http://www.whyrowesucks.com

    [Reply]

Leave a Reply




  • About

    Your HR Guy is a Human Resources Generalist practicing in the field. But don't let that fool you, this isn't a boring blog. I seek relevance and humor in a place we will spend much of our lives. Everything from workplace issues, job seeking and terrible bosses. Read more...

    View Lance Haun [lancehaun@gmail.com]'s profile on LinkedIn



    Featured on:




    Rate this Blog at Blogged

    Alltop, confirmation that I kick ass

  • RSS HRM Today

    • Offer letter revoking
      Anurag posted a Facebook note with a real story: So there is this guy who till last week was looking forward to join [well known company] as Sr VP of HR . Wooed to the extent {name of Promoter} sent people to his home to ensure there is an “emotional connect” even before the guy joins. [...]
      Gautam Ghosh
    • Magic Johnson Reinvents His Brand From Basketball to Business
      Branding Magic Johnson When I think of Magic Johnson, the following words come to mind: Lakers - He took the Lakers NBA team to many championships. Basketball - He played basketball for most of his life. HIV - While playing basketball he was diagnosed with HIV. Philanthropy - He founded the The Magic Johnson Foundation. How would you brand Magic Johnson? Magic [...]
      Dan Schawbel
    • SHRM, Kennedy, & Blowing Up Human Resources
      When you believe in destroying the traditional model of Human Resources — much like I do — you run into major obstacles. The biggest obstacle in my life is also the biggest elephant in the room: it’s The Society for Human Resources Management. SHRM is the most influential Human Resouces association in America. It’s staffed with [...]
      Laurie Ruettimann
    • Stand up for Tolerance: 10th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance
      Today is the 10th Annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, dedicated to all those transgender folks who died as a result of anti-transgender violence. Thankfully, I have never lost a loved one to such an act of violence; but, I would never forgive myself if I had not spoken up and taken a stand on [...]
      Totally Consumed
    • The Best Piece of Advice
      I’m a bit reflective today because I’m formulating my Zig Ziglar inspired Wall of Gratitude (to be blogged later this weekend…stay tuned).  It has me thinking about all of the pivotal moments and life-changing people I’ve experienced in my short professional career. I presented the topic of MBTI preferences and Team Building to a group of [...]
      speakingofmbti
    • 10 Solutions To Our Ailing Economy
      Yes, I am going to nag about the economy again.  My economist friend in Oregon agreed with my posting yesterday.  He told me that there is only one Fortune 500 company left in Oregon (Nike); the rest put on their Nike’s and ran as fast they could away from this unfriendly-to-business state.  The same happened to Silicon [...]
      rulrici
    • Develop Your Strengths or Fix Your Weaknesses?
      Gary Vaynerchuk, blogger and creator of Wine Library TV, had a fantastic (and short) video on his personal blog yesterday titled “I suck!” Gary spends the first 60 seconds rattling off a list of things he’s horrible at, and then begins to explain how instead of dwelling on what he’s bad at, he’s instead chosen to [...]
      Chris Ferdinandi
    • Tip of the Week – Test Candidate Matching
      It’s Friday afternoon, and you just posted a position with your applicant tracking system (ATS). The position has been placed on your website, job boards and the other usual sources. When you come to work on Monday, you realize that you have had over 200 candidates apply for the position. Sound familiar? Well it doesn’t necessary [...]
      Jake Stupak
    • Fiddling While Rome Burns
      “Rome” is burning.  The “Rome” I am talking about is the private sector of the U.S. economy.  Last month, the only job sector that grew was government jobs.  I get this feeling that we are pulling a “Nero” watching this thing happen and are hopelessly standing by not doing anything about it.  I read HR Blogs, including [...]
      rulrici
    • Building Community in a Face-to-Faceless World
      Note from Lance: I asked my former employer to do a guest post about some of the cool things they are doing with some of the interesting challenges they face. Today’s author is Kristen Leal who manages QualitySmith’s PR and Talent Strategy. Thanks! I was filling up my water bottle one day at work when I [...]
      Lance Haun

  • RSS Background Check News