Case Study: Result Oriented Work Environment

Requirement 1

A results-only work environment gives more control to employees over when and where they work. Though this management strategy is more difficult to implement with hourly employees in a store, the positive mindset and atmosphere a results-only work environment creates can help boost productivity (Hellriegel & Slocum 525). As a manager, for example, you can cut out unproductive employee meetings and set clear goals and benchmarks for employees. You also can instruct employees not to fill time by acting busy and empower employees by letting them decide how to balance workloads and distribute tasks amongst themselves (Hellriegel & Slocum 522).

I am working for a company that is transitioning to flextime arrangements. This company operates in the sales industry. Therefore, in the industry, to make profit it is necessary to set goals and make budgets. Consequently, in such industry it is easy to make a shift into ROWE environment. This organization has promoted a flexible schedule by doing what seems to be the opposite; creating set visit schedules for the sales reps. This becomes flexible because it easily defines a day's work. When the rep is finished with the tasks for the day, then they can call it quits. The important aspect here is to make certain that managers keep an eye on sales goals which will ensure the reps are completing their daily duties. We have found that when a company makes a sincere effort to emphasize flexibility, associates are more engaged and more willing to take on demanding projects because they can still keep a fulfilling work-life balance.

A study by Working Mother of the 100 Best Companies to Work For found that 87% of the featured companies emphasize flex in corporate objectives and mission, vision, and value statements (Working Mother Media 15). The key is to be clear on what needs to get done and when it must be finished. If the company can do this and provide the appropriate resources then they can expect a more energetic and fulfilling work environment which will result in the successful execution of projects. A study by the University of Minnesota also found some additional benefits which exceed work goals. These include improved sleep, gains in energy, less work/family conflict, greater commitment, and higher job satisfaction (Flex Work and Well Being Study, University of Minnesota 88).

Despite the many benefits of ROWE-type programs, we have also determined that not all employers can benefit from such flexibility. A group member with experience in the technology field acknowledges that these programs might be able to improve moral or make some processes more efficient, but the overall business practice could suffer. The flexibility could create some more serious issues that would be detrimental to the company and their ability to perform as their customers deem necessary. Much of the IT industry is specialized and there are many different pieces that could be essential to fix a problem. These issues lend themselves to teamwork since a single person with such a wide ...