BlackBerry Balance

Interesting story out of Australia about concerns that giving senior government workers a BlackBerry would upset their work-life balance:

“Staff expressed fears about BlackBerries contributing to a longer working day and felt it was going a step too far because mobile phones are adequate for out-of-office contact.

Not everyone agreed, however, with some senior executives claiming a BlackBerry can contribute to work/life balance by facilitating telecommuting and more flexible schedules.”

We often hear this concern when we’re out speaking to the public about a Results-Only Work Environment. People say, “Yeah, but if work isn’t confined to the office, then people will want to reach me at all hours of the day. Work will end up consuming my life.” (This is also an objection people raise to telecommuting.)

This is a valid concern if you’re using technology to promote availability. If your cell phone or remote internet access or BlackBerry only makes you more available to other people, then you’re right to worry. Given unlimited access and no accountability to results, people can use technology to bring you their questions and concerns the instant they arise.

But we would argue that this is a misuse of technology. In a ROWE, the point of technology is not to give people more access to an individual, but to give that individual more control over their time. You use your cell phone, remote internet access and/or BlackBerry to manage your job on your own terms. Your focus is on outcomes, not availability.

When someone contacts you outside of “normal” business hours, it’s your choice as to how to answer. Your decision is based on the results you’re trying to drive. If you’re on deadline for a project and someone sends you a relevant e-mail, then you respond. If someone is just “checking in” then you let it go until the morning. You let the work drive the behavior.

Isn’t that a better way? Would you rather have people be effective than available?

Posted in Technology