Note, however, in the movie he doesn't care because his boss takes credit for his work. THAT is the type of manager to which the article's author caters IMHO.
Posted on 05/10/2020 8:16:25 AM PDT by DoodleBob
It might seem like the glorious era of remote work is upon us, driven by a pandemic push. Zoom! Slack! Who needs the office? The promise of uncompromised productivity paired with freedom is alluring.
I’m a behavioral scientist, though, so color me skeptical.
While software can ostensibly replicate the features of an office, there are some underlying behavioral tricks that physical offices have mastered. We may not want to discard them so quickly.
Let’s start in a not-so-obvious place: habits.
People often complain that they can’t start new habits. “I have tried but I just can’t seem to [INSERT: exercise, meditate, start new hobby.]”
On average, Americans report having tried to lose weight seven times in their lives. That’s at least six failed attempts (maybe seven) to do something that they are highly motivated to do. The $9 billion self-help industry has made its fortune selling us solutions that help us achieve the “simple” goals we want to achieve.
I’m here to tell you good news: There is a foolproof way for you to start a new habit, achieve your goals, and improve your life. Surprisingly, this system works across cultures. It’s known to everyone. You’ve even tried it.
It’s called work.
(Excerpt) Read more at fastcompany.com ...
I am way more productive working from home. When I have to go back to the main office in DC none of my regular work gets done; I spent my time in meetings and running around the building chasing down lost paperwork.
Plus, I’m not an easy target for a drive-by tasking when I’m 2000 miles away.
Let's say the new remote workers were processing accounts payable. The very nature of their work will be accountable and thus there isn't a NEED for the claptrap the article's author recommends. Indeed, Zoom meetings etc actually get in the way of work but reinforce the boss' self-importance.
If the work isn't like that of the payables processor, then the boss shoild have built in a way of assessing progress. BEFORE the pandemic. This also means, by proxy, the boss had a way of proving THEIR value to senior management. The fact that your people aren't centralized in the hive doesn't mean you need to suddenly call into question their private work ethic or establish busy work to show how important you are to your bosses.
If we shut down for China Virus will there now be a ZERO TOLERANCE rule enforced at jobs where if you have a sniffle, sneeze, or cough you are sent home?
I know at one employer that was the attitude even if you were working in your own office with the door closed.
No water cooler to stand around. I’ve never been big on small talk but I’m an exception. It always blew me away how much time people can spend standing around and gabbing.
If you have a family there are more distractions at home and more temptations and freedom to indulge in them.
In a way working from home can detract from both family life and work life.
It also reduces the contact with other workers thus reducing the synergy.
I think most people would personally prefer working at home because of the commute and freedom, but I don’t think it’s more productive. Perhaps a mix of the two might work.
“And it works.”
To continue your point, he defines “it works” in a way that misses the point, which ought to be something like sustainable productivity, profitability and the bottom line. Micromanagement does work at forcing, temporarily, a targeted behavior. So does thumb screws. “It works” is not necessarily a measure of success.
What enables successful business owners and corporate leaders to succeed? I don’t think “peer pressure”, “fear of shame” or “threat of punishment” would be near the top of anyone’s list. How are their employees different?
Saving 10 hours a week in commuting time is a big win.
I think the virus is revealing that much of America’s “Office Space” style office work is not really necessary at all. Never mind the work at home option - there won’t be a lot of office work left at all in a lot of companies.
Same. I am just a very self motivated person. I know what needs to be done and I do it.
I’ve worked for myself...at home...for the last 14 years. You’re right. I work into the night. I may be sitting on my sofa bingeing a tv show while designing a flyer on my ipad in my lap. I check, answer, and send emails until 9pm. Weekends too. I don’t do everything all at once but spread it out from about 7 in the morning til 9 at night. My other company people do the same. Sometimes we’ll be work texting until 9 at night. It seems that is bedtime for everyone. lol
My work from people are more whiny and lazy than when on site.
I despise the modern spoiled brat paper shuffler and manager types.
Sadly it’s the same about everywhere.
Office Space is correct in a lot of ways.
Note, however, in the movie he doesn't care because his boss takes credit for his work. THAT is the type of manager to which the article's author caters IMHO.
“Sure. For lazy people.”
I’m far from lazy. Own 3 companies. I am now semi retired and moved my office to my home Jan 2019. I get less done at home. Too many distractions.
Most people I know who are at home due to the Chinese virus say they re getting less done.
On a thread a few weeks ago, a FReeper posted that the reason some companies don’t like “work from home” is that in some cases, the bosses at work are little dictators who like to lord it over the worker bees. They can’t strut around and act lordly if the serfs are not there to see it. It’s that was with the narcissistic little prick I work for.
I work for a very large company (100,000+) employees, and my team, and my manager, and my manager’s manager all work from home from the very beginning. If there is someone who doesn’t fit in with that setup he is weeded out pretty quickly, and before long you have a functioning team. I have also been free to help my own cause because I am in fact more productive at my job with a 43” screen instead of the laptop screen they provide me. Since I enjoy the benefits of the screen for my work on the side, and my own personal use, the money was well spent, even though the company didn’t spring for it. I am so glad I can live anywhere in the U.S. and not have to deal with a city commute. That more than compensates for the fact that the company does not pay top dollar.
Overcrowding. That's a laugh. "I want work from home because this office is just too crowded." Any business that people are complaining that it is overcrowded needs to eliminate some employees.
I have been working from home but I would much rather go to work than sit in front of a computer in my home office with Zoom meetings and trying to talk people through stuff that I used to do sitting at their computer.
I don't believe in coronavirus, COVID 19, or SARS COVID-2 or whatever the hell they call it. Coronavirus, if you are listening, come get me. That's right. Come get me. I am in 5 different risk categories, but I am not the least bit afraid. I have my immune system, and I actually would not be a bit surprised if I already whupped your ass.
I would quit my gym if they said they were going to publish how many days a week I go to the gym. And for it’s worth, before the wu flu I was a daily gym goer.
Ran into many in public TV and higher ed.
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