On Flexible Work Schedules
I wrote about are we working too much before, but I feel like sharing a little more on this.
While I’m not aware of any detailed scientific studies, organizations don't appreciate how valuable flexibility in a working schedule can be. For example, I typically work over 50 hours each week, but it feels like 30 because my company doesn’t have the draconian and antiquated idea that “in order to be working, they must be sitting within 100 feet of me.” For more on this general subject, check out http://www.flexwork.eu.com/. [Update: Here is another good study courtesy of Mark DiGiovanni.]
I wake up about 7 am and catch up on email, handle some admin stuff related to our web applications (I’ll be automating those soon!). I’ll then eat breakfast and head to in to the office around 9 am. I usually work there or at a customer’s site until around 5 PM. That’s 1 hour at home, and 7 or 8 at the office depending on any lunch break I take. On many week nights, around 9 PM I work remotely for 2 or 3 more hours. On the typical weekend, I will work 4-5 hours spread between Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday night being a common time for me to get work done in anticipation of the coming week.
Let me count:
That’s 1 morning hour from home 5 days per week.
7.5 hours at “the office” 5 days per week.
2.5 hours in the evenings 2 nights per week.
4.5 hours in weekend evenings.
Totals 52 hours.
I should point out, if I had to spend the full 52 hours in our company offices, I doubt I would feel as up beat about this. I would be less productive because 1) I'd be unhappy seeing less of my family and 2) I would not have time to “recharge” between work sessions -- which is the big benefit I enjoy currently. Also, I have peace and quiet at home that I DON'T have at my current job (my office doesn't have a door I can close and it's hard to concentrate sometimes!). Having the freedom to work in a way that fits my lifestyle is crucial to my success as a developer and continued “freshness” when it comes time to solve problems and generally be smart; I would surely burn out on a forced regimen, but when it’s contoured to fit around my wife and activities (soccer, etc), I couldn’t be happier.
To close, I should point out that my estimated 52 hour week doesn’t count the time I spend preparing and teaching ITPro classes, reading/learning Tech topics, and other industry related “work;” this can be a considerable (2 or 3 classes per week!). Also, like everyone, I have an occasional all-nighter or other marathon work weeks.
How does your organization approach this issue?