BREAK OUT OF THE OFFICE AND GET SOME ACTUAL WORK DONE
Today, I was at the office typing on the computer, getting some work done. It felt like I was achieving things. I left work early to pick up my youngest son and take him to lacrosse practice. Now, I’m sitting on a cool lawn, listening to parents talk about their busy office lives and the degrees needed for promotions. I’m grateful for the upcoming lifestyle change of working from anywhere, anytime. Why does the corporate world insist on offices?
The Outdated Office Model
The idea that you must be in the office to get work done is old-fashioned, like the payphone that managers thought was cool when they were young. To keep your best employees happy, trust them to do their job well. Let them work when and where they want, as long as they finish their tasks. Start by letting a group work from home three days a week. Don’t micromanage them. Evaluate their performance based on both the amount and quality of their work. When employees feel trusted and have some freedom, their creativity, quality of work, and productivity go up.
Some people argue that being in the office is the only way to be productive. They believe having a manager watch over you or being around coworkers makes you work better. There’s also a misconception that those in the office from 8 to 5 are better than those working remotely. These ideas can be proven wrong with good leadership.
The younger generation doesn’t prefer traditional 8–5 jobs. They want flexibility to attend appointments during the day and might work later in the evening to make up for it.
Generational Perspectives on Work
Baby Boomers
Usually prefer working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. They believe this time should be spent in the office or at the workplace. If you’re on a salary, you’re expected to work at least 50 hours a week. If you’re the boss, you should arrive before any employees and leave after everyone to set a good example. It’s worth noting that the 8-track was considered amazing by many in this generation when they graduated from high school.
Generation X
Individuals are quite similar to baby boomers. They believe their employees should work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but they are a bit more flexible, allowing early leave on the Friday before a holiday. They are trying to be more open-minded but find it challenging because they have to deal with the work mentality of baby boomers. Gen X’ers were the first to have a phone in a bag as a cool way to stay connected. They would attach it to their car, and when the phone rang, the horn would honk! Quite stylish.
Millennials
Often face negative stereotypes. People say they get offended easily and throw tantrums if things don’t go their way. While this might be true for some, many millennials are top performers globally. Some of the world’s largest and most successful companies have been founded and run by this generation. Millennials don’t enjoy having strict work hours or working in an office. They prefer starting the day by working from home for a few hours, then heading to the office only when necessary. After a nice lunch, they continue working, take a break to exercise, grab a quick bite, and finish the day with more work. They like the flexibility and don’t feel the need for a traditional office setup.
Moving Forward with Modern Work Styles
Each generation has its ups and downs. To keep younger employees happy, the traditional office mindset should go away. With today’s technology, there’s no need to constantly track time or micromanage salaried employees. Most people don’t even need office space. All you really need is a spot for meetings. And guess what? There are plenty of places in every town for informal meetings and presentations. Even in rural areas, you can likely find a library, a school, or a Grange hall that’s big enough for your meeting. Be creative!
When evaluating, consider both the quantity and quality of their work, not just the hours spent at a desk. Let’s step out of the office and accomplish meaningful tasks.
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