The Case for a Free Work Environment

I have a friend who called me recently about his job. The problem was that his work environment had turned sour. It went from relatively open and communicative to catty and snide. His manager recently gave a depressing "the economy is going to Hell, don't be surprised if your job goes with it" chat at their staff meeting. His boss started riding him for coming in 15 minutes late in the mornings (despite the fact that he was working 40+ hours a week).

Unfortunately, this is the reality for a lot of the professional workforce. I'm only 27, but I can get all "Back in My Day-Snow-Four Miles-Uphill, etc etc" quickly these days. I had to be at work at 8:30 on the nose. My lunch was exactly 1/2 hour, no more. I couldn't work from home. I was required to drive in on snowy days (or be forced to take a vacation day).

As more and more jobs emerge in the technology field, these standards are quickly changing. To attract a younger, innovative work force, employers are becoming more lax in these old school standards. It's not just technology companies that are adopting this style, either.

What it does for employee morale is immeasurable: no one is looking over your shoulder, resentful if you came in at 9:30 instead of 8. You chose to come in earlier because it suits you. You can take a long lunch. Go for it. Play the Wii. Need to work from home? OK.

Typically this kind of freedom is reserved for the upper level employees in an organization (managers, directors). But the new model dictates that these rights are afforded to everyone.

Employees are encouraged to talk it out rather than resort to an annoying system of complaints, complaint escalation and managerial response.

The bottom line is that your work gets completed. There are consequences for failing to meet your goals. It's the We'll Trust You First model of employee culture.

The downside, of course, is the abuse of such a trusting system. There is always the employee who wants even more freedom. As a "veteran" of the old-school model, I can get annoyed: They just don't know how good they have it. Some employees would kill to play video games at lunch! You hear me?! Killlll!!!! I've had to remind myself to put Grandma Christina back in the nursing home and pay attention.

This model is basically brushing aside a lot of the crap and just getting to the point. And for the employee that can handle this system-- and not all people can-- it makes a huge difference in the overall company culture.