Contrary to what many may think, a laid-back work environment can actually be motivating. A BusinessWeek article explains how Best Buy has switched to ROWE or a "results-only work environment". The whole idea of ROWE is to break out of the cookie cutter office. Best Buy employees, “take conference calls while [they] hunt, collaborate from [their] lakeside cabin, or log on after dinner so [they] can spend the afternoon with [their] kid”. As a result productivity is up an average of 35%, so it looks like there is method to this madness.
Best Buy is not the only company to adapt this new kind of office. According to the article at IBM, 40% of the workforce has no official office and at AT&T, a third of managers are unconfined.
Added perks save time from being wasted dreading the workplace or daydreaming of what else you could be spending your time doing. Companies offer employees simple escapes from an ordinary office environment by replacing the stereotypical neutral office color palette with warm, welcoming splashes of color. or giving them a conference room equipped with couches, a TV, a chalkboard wall, and a wine/beer refrigerator. Some simple changes can ensure that time is actually spent working. I mean, who wouldn’t mind spending an extra hour or two in that kind of atmosphere?
Amy Mengel, Engagement Coordinator
