You’ve changed the way you read your news, even the way you communicate with friends and family – when last did you read through a newspaper, or post a handwritten letter via snail-mail? In a world of instant messaging and paperless offices, isn’t it time we changed the way we work?
Well, someone is. Following a similar policy adopted by the company Netflix, Sir Richard Branson has announced that his employees are allowed to take time off when they like, for as long as they like. He believes it will boost creativity, morale and productivity.
There are clear rules
Don’t panic – there are some rules: Branson says that for this open-ended policy to work, staff need to ensure all projects and deadlines are 100% up-to-date and that their absence won’t damage business.
In case you think that it can’t possibly work, and that Branson will be sorry, this policy has already been running for several years at Netflix, a streaming video and DVD-by-mail service based in California.
Would being able to take a day off when you need it act as a massive incentive to stay ahead of deadlines?
Not his first innovation
In 2013, Branson posted a blog entry all about remote working, stating that Virgin had no problem with people working from home as long as work was done. According to Branson, the way to optimise and manage working remotely is to have the correct technology. Being able to keep in touch, complete projects online and in real time, and communicate regularly makes remote working both possible and viable.
So, what do you think? Could you save a lot of money and reduce your stress and carbon footprint by working from home once a week?
Sources: iol.co.za, virgin.com