Brace yourself telework proponents: The gov’t poster child was just cited for huge abuse of the federal telework program
Prompted by multiple whistleblower complaints, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office began an internal investigation two years ago of an award-winning program that’s been praised in and outside government: Employees are allowed to work from home. What the inquiry uncovered was alarming.”
Kate Lister’s insight:
As a telework advocate, I read the whole Inspector General’s report hoping the Washington Post’s article exaggerated the problem. Sadly, they didn’t. The abuses were pretty widespread.
But this raises a big question. Ignoring for a moment that agency policy requires teleworkers to work regular schedules, much of the problem centers on the fact …read more
Good advice on how to use collaborative workspace to drive Innovation
Collaborative workspace has become a crucial spur for innovative thinking and competitive agility. Research from Steelcase confirms 4 innovation drivers that can prevent your company from landing in the digital dustbin.
Kate Lister’s insight:
Some basic but good advice here.
Some sage and much-needed advice about workplace strategy: It’s about leadership – not real estate
Designing smarter organizations – a call to arms for the brave and fearless change agents of the corporate world of today and tomorrow.We all find ourselves in very turbulent times. The world around
Kate Lister’s insight:
This line sums it up: “It is therefore time we remind ourselves that space itself is not creating shareholder value. It is the people we provide it for that decide whether our organization fails or succeeds. Space has however a tremendous power of influencing behavior and it therefore plays a key role in organizational transformation. But it is a means to an end, one element in …read more
Wearable devices monitor how salespeople talk…Big Brother? Job Coach? Competitive Advantage?
Improving the way employees communicate with customers is crucial to increased sales. Now there’s wearable technology that can show salespeople how they’re doing.
Kate Lister’s insight:
We’re going to be seeing a lot more on how biometrics can “improve” how we work and interact with others. I’m pretty much in the camp that says as long as it’s truly opt-in, there’s much to learn here. Practical applications: training sales people., uncovering stress triggers, improving team dynamics, etc.
Your thoughts?
Does your office building make you fat?
Better stairs, worse elevators, smaller waistline.
Kate Lister’s insight:
There are some great examples of how making it more attractive to take the stairs can really make a difference. For example: only about 10% of people used the ugly stairwell in one building while more than 70% used them when they were centrally located and attractive.
Executives are working more but feel less conflict thanks to flexibility; a third would turn down a promotion if it meant losing flex.
81% say work-life balance is critical consideration in taking a new job.
Survey included 571 global executives.
Kate Lister’s insight:
Workplace flexibility and telecommuting were the top two non-financial benefits. Clearly flexibility matters!
Why Danish workers are happy and Americans are, well, NOT
Americans think it’s normal to hate their jobs. Let us introduce you to the Danish concept of arbejdsglde. It means happiness at work. Here’s how…
Kate Lister’s insight:
Wow. Simple but powerful:
- Reasonable working hours
- Suggestions vs. orders
- Great unemployment benefits
- Constant training
- Focus on happiness — What a concept!
Beyond the Workplace takes the its Big Conversation to the Streets of London @ChrisKane44 #streetwisdom
Beyond the Workplace took its first major step on Thursday with over 50 people meeting in Trafalgar Square to experience Street Wisdom, kickstarting the Big Conversation in earnest. For most, it wa…
Kate Lister’s insight:
In keeping with Einstein’s observation that “we can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them,” Chris Kane from BBC took a novel approach to spreading the word about the need for workplace change.
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