As an employer, there are many methods you can utilize to manage your team’s productivity. You might use time trackers, collaboration tools, and even schedule frequent check-ins, all in the name of making sure that your workers stay on target with their deadlines. But some companies are ditching all that and are instead implementing a ROWE—and getting amazing results.
In short, ROWE stands for Results Only Work Environment. While it might not be a fit for everyone, ROWE has become an impressive tool for employers—particularly remote ones—to increase productivity, motivate employees, and create a solid company culture.
Keep reading to discover even more about ROWE environments, companies that utilize it, and how they measure up.
What is ROWE?
In technical terms, it’s a human resources management strategy that celebrates results rather than time worked. In reality, though, it is so much more. For employees, they are able to focus on their work rather than the number of hours spent in an office or seated at a desk. And because they are given the freedom to customize their schedule and, in turn, have better work-life balance, they tend to experience higher productivity levels as well as the autonomy to make decisions crucial to their results. These results directly impact employers by having higher retention rates and a happier, more engaged staff.
Another great aspect of results only work environments is that goals are established and defined. Since this is the very foundation of measurement, setting goals is one of the most important processes of the work strategy. As long as the goals are communicated and implemented correctly, there is very little room to dispute whether results were or were not delivered.
Who uses ROWE?
A large number of companies use a results oriented work environment to create a solid company culture. From startups to multinational organizations, this type of work environment is being implemented and successfully managed, both for brick-and-mortar businesses as well remote ones.
Here are 21 companies using ROWE:
- GitHub
- Summit CPA Group
- Toggl
- Site5
- Stride, Inc.
- Unlimited job posts
- Low, flat membership fee
- Access top-level remote advice
- Unlimited resume searches
- Reach the right candidates
- And so much more!
- Collage.com
- Lullabot
- MomsRising.org
- StickerMule
- Toptal
- Trello
- Workfrom
- Beutler Ink
- Groove
- LovetoKnow
- Scribendi
- Seeq
- TeamSnap
- Timely
- Blossom
- DataStax
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How does a results only work environment measure up?
As with any management style, there are pros and cons to consider. Before deciding if a ROWE is right for your company, consider the following points:
- Happy, engaged, and productive employees
- Easier to measure results
- Less paperwork for time off
- Attract top talent and quality professionals
- Retain productive and loyal employees
- Company culture that values work-life balance
- Company culture that values positive, quality results
- Fewer real-estate costs due to workplace flexibility
- Environmentally friendly work strategy
- If remote work policies are lacking, ROWE can be difficult to implement and successfully manage
- Not all employees can be successful in a results-oriented work environment
- Can be difficult to implement in some working environments where established hours are a must
- Communication can be hindered if required meetings/check-ins are not established
For the companies that have adopted ROWE as their model of operation, it seems that there is no sign of reverting back to a more traditional method of tracking workers’ time spent at a desk. And for remote companies (as well as those considering becoming remote), a ROWE is a great option for attracting top talent—and keeping your current staff healthy, engaged, and above all, productive.
Whether you’re already remote or interested in becoming remote, FlexJobs is here to help you hire and manage your team successfully. Discover a better way to recruit remote talent!
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