Flexible Work Schedules Getting More Attention

BenefitNews.com reports that flexible workplaces are getting more attention. This past Fall, Houston's mayor challenged companies to implement flexible work options for two weeks. The results? On two of the city's major freeways, 32,000 rush-hour commuters saved more than 5.8% in travel time.

And on December 11, NPR reported that box store Best Buy's corporate office had implemented a Results Only management policy that fosters true flextime. As long as employees get their jobs done, they are free to work whenever and wherever they want. The focus is on results, not face-time.

That sounds like good news for employees who are savvy about managing their time and their other resources. (I'm always amused at how many people tell me they don't think they could work at home, because it would be too distracting. I find, and others who have moved from a corporate to a home office have told me, that productivity soars because there are fewer interruptions.)

An interesting outcome of Best Buy's new policy—other than the fact that now 40% of its corporate employees have opted to work this way—is that it has forced management and employees to really get clear about what they want and expect workers to do. That kind of clarity is itself a boon to productivity.

What's it like at your workplace? If you are not already telecommuting, would you want to be? And are you the kind of employee who could make it work?