The Workplace Flexibility Experiment

blogs.wsj.com

38 points·kjhughes··4 comments

I really like the idea of having core "office hours" backed up by a general expectation that people will not be in the office outside those hours, even if they may be working. I think teams need to have face time sometimes, but there is a lot of work that doesn't need it. Having core office hours forces everyone to coordinate that work that does require face time, and plan to get it done during office hours.

Still concedes too much to the notion that being physically present is always necessary. Why drive in every day only to drive back a few hours later?

I'd prefer something more like n core days a week w/ core hours that people can rely on a-priori for generating magical productivity gains from face time. All the other time, work as necessary from wherever and use email/chat/video as necessary when deliberation is necessary. Projects can either block off those times all the time, or as necessary.

I agree with core days instead of core hours. The commute can be a big deal. My team at work has de facto core days Tue through Thur, with most people working from home Mon and Fri. I think it's pretty close to an ideal situation.

Sad anecdote from my experience: in my current company we have "core hours" from 10 to 5. Yep, that's right: you can come in early or stay longer in the evening - no one would object...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com