I love this quote from the blog of Seth Godin the Idea Virus guy, “If you’re a knowledge worker, your boss shouldn’t make you come to the (expensive) office every day unless there’s something there that makes it worth your trip. She needs to provide you with resources or interactions or energy you can’t find at home or at Starbucks. And if she does invite you in, don’t bother showing up if you’re just going to sit quietly.”
Today jobs are seen as treasured gifts from the employers that give them away. But this quote turns it around at bit. The employer is now the benefactor of the services that his employees can provide. To get good service, the employer needs to make it worth the employees time and effort. Bravo Seth!
The reality is that the expense and hassle isn’t really worth it, but since the bills have to be paid, employees endure it. But if an employer either made it worth the employees time and effort to commute or allowed alternative work situations, imagine the quality of work that a happier employee could produce,
One of the great benefits of telecommuting that many employers seem to miss is that it forces employees to be productive. No longer is simply showing up and “sitting quietly” (while surfing the net) acceptable. So while telecommuting offers the employee the opportunity to find or create a stimulating workplace, it also means that the employer will get more bang for his work-buck. A win-win all around.
