In the beginning it was Larry Page, number one of Google: “To be happy you have to work less. The idea that everyone has to work frantically is simply not true." Then moving from words to deeds was recently Richard Branson, founder of the empire Virgin (gyms, radio stations, airlines, record labels and more): for its employees in the US and UK it has abolishedto the working hours. Because "results count, not the hours you spend in the office".
Work flexibility (not contractual flexibility, mind you) is apparently becoming more and more of a trend. And a number one trend, which is now also landing in the Eurozone. In fact, the last case is that of Microsoft in Germany: the IT giant has abolished the obligation to show up every day at the workplace. “Because, to work well, the place and the moment are not essential”.
In short, the new trend is not a stopgap for slackers, but rather concerns – at the moment – the largest companies on the planet. In particular, and not surprisingly, those of high tech. Technologies have in fact led to many changes in the way we work (and live): who wouldn't want to lie down in the middle of the park on a beautiful sunny day, turn on the laptop and start working in the shade of a tree? And why not, at a cafe table with a cup of coffee. Maybe in the living room at home, after changing into something more comfortable, putting the kids to bed and opening a bottle of wine. For many (but not all) the ideal working environment, better than the (uncomfortable) desk in the middle of the four walls in the office.
And then, Microsoft has also figured out something else: the rush to arrive on time every morning is nerve-wracking. Such strict provisions are out of date, especially in big, chaotic and busy cities where even the most efficient public transport can take hours to transport passengers to the workplace. Teleworking, it was called. Now the concept is broader and is that of the easy economy. Which will favor family, social life, and also the environment: the journey from home to work, for those who do it by car, produces 1,7 tons of CO2 every day in the world.
Microsoft, which had already abolished fixed hours in 1998, is therefore now also cutting the attendance requirement. And never mind if the unions turn up their noses: "Too much flexibility and freedom can turn into exploitation, excess work", they argue. The reply: "It will be possible to be absent for one hour a day, one week o one monthwithout anyone asking questions. What matters is the result”, underlines the Richmond company. And Branson of Virgin is already further: “I will also encourage controlled companies to stop counting vacation days".
