If you could create a more flexible work schedule, increase productivity, and decrease absenteeism, would you be interested?  Of course, but if I also told you that this new program went into effect in a county government office would you be surprised?

Listening to a NPR story, detailed the events of Hennepin County, in Minneapolis, Minnesota office that is doing just that. They have switched to what is called a “work results only environment” (ROWE).  In this environment employees make up their own schedule and do not have to ask for time off as long as their work is done by the deadline.

Does this work?

The county office, who handles public support cases says that their process used to take 2 ½ weeks and now they are down to 5 days or less. So impressive that rumors of layoffs were circulating in the office.

Here are some interesting things and challenges that come from ROWE:

1. All meetings are voluntary, but you are responsible for anything within a meeting. Eventually, people realize how many ineffective meetings they were holding.

2. Relearn how you communicate. Talking to someone next to you is completely different then having to communicate with two people who are at their homes.

3. Don’t have to ask for days off or early leave as long as the work is getting done, but could lead to employees building up massive amounts of vacation days.

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