Offer staff more time off instead of more money?
callum-macdonald.comI think we have to understand the employment scenario in place before you can assume that employees will care about having more time off.
For example, the "10 minutes early" piece would be laughed at where I work. Why? Because the knowledge workers on my team can leave 10 minutes early any day they want. They aren't bound to the clock. They're bound to getting their work done. If they do that, I don't give a damn if they pick up their kids at 4:15 every day.
In addition, the most of the time, my employees struggle to take the vacation they already have, why would they want more? (21 days + for the most part) I'd rather give them a few extra bucks as incentive than hound them to take even more vacation come November.
Finally, there's an important point to realize. If people like their jobs, they don't necessarily care too much about vacation. Sure, they want to be able to go on a trip in the summer, away for a few weekends and time for the holidays, but since they enjoy working, a lot of the time that's where they want to be.
What would help is fewer mandatory time-wasting activities. Fewer meetings, and when there is one, it should have an agenda of issues that need to be decided that meeting. Fewer interruptions and distractions. No bullshit technology choices dictated by managers who don't understand the technology involved.
Most hackers want to get things done. Getting them done quicker lets them choose whether they get more done (= more money) or take more time.
Yes, yes, a hundred times yes.
The other thing I'm a big proponent of is offices for everyone. The "open office collaboration" trend is the biggest scam to hit the workplace in the last 30 years. How one can be "more productive" hearing everyone else's weekend stories whether they choose to or not is beyond me.
Absolutely, open plan offices are a nightmare. I haven't yet figured out how to balance it out though. Social contact is important, interacting with other team members, etc. Maybe longer lunch breaks, or social meeting or something. Being in an office alone all day is pretty unhealthy!
I agree that a lot of people want to work more, but I think that's part of the problem. I think people need to be encouraged to work less, to take more time off.
I believe the best employers encourage their staff to get out into the world and find fulfillment and I believe the best way to do that is by having a varied and interesting lifestyle.
Simply working all day every day doesn't lead to a balanced, healthy life.
>I agree that a lot of people want to work more, but I think that's part of the problem.
If you're suggesting the employer has a role to play in forcing employees to do something they don't want to do, I think you'll find bigger issues than the ones I put forth.
>Simply working all day every day doesn't lead to a balanced, healthy life.
That's true, but my employer's role is not to determine what that balance is, and how I live my life. That's my choice.