![\"vacatepostgraph\"](\"https:\/\/questromworld.bu.edu\/udc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2016\/07\/vacatepostgraph-300x229.png\")
I\u2019ve done some research in flexible work environments, and have found that such arrangements can indeed increase productivity \u2013 though the opportunities obviously are relative to the place and nature of the work. For example, research shows that \u201ccompressed work weeks\u201d (like a five day schedule being consolidated into four days) can reduce absenteeism and increase productivity anywhere from 10 to 70 percent. And studies have shown that short breaks allow people to maintain their focus on a task without the loss of quality that normally occurs over time. Moreover, Google has employed a \u201c20% time\u201d approach, wherein their employees spend one day a week working on projects that aren’t necessarily in their job descriptions \u2013 to develop something new, or fix something they see as broken, or really most anything. The 20% time approach has brought about serious innovations such as Gmail, Google Reader, and more. (Full disclaimer: it was reported a while back, though both unsubstantiated and disputed, that Google may have killed this workplace perk, one that has been considered as a real competitive advantage to the company.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Back to the theme of vacation: for several years now, Netflix has abandoned typical policies for a \u201csky’s-the-limit\u201d approach. Essentially, Netflix employees can take as much vacation as they want assuming their work is accomplished, embracing the notion of gauging success by focusing on what employees get done, not on how many days they work. According to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, keeping vacation unlimited requires mature, responsible employees who care about high-quality work. I have read that there was a bit of initial trepidation that this policy shift might engender the occasional abuse, but in fact they saw the opposite: people had to be pushed to take advantage of this change. And Netflix isn\u2019t alone with this kind of HR policy. Human resources association WorldatWork reports that 1% of companies are now offering unlimited paid vacation days; this may be a tiny percentage, but meaningful nonetheless. And to ensure that people are really unplugging \u2013 since a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. workers indicated that most people check emails and take phone calls while away, sometimes multiple times a day<\/em> \u2013 many companies are actually incentivizing <\/em><\/strong>vacation: Evernote began offering employees $1,000 spending money once a year to take at least a full week off at a time, and the small company FullContact offers \u201cpaid paid vacation\u201d to its employees. Once a year, each staff member gets a $7,500 (this is enough for a family of four to have pretty a legit vacation)<\/em> to literally go away\u2026provided they disconnect from technology and do absolutely no work while off.<\/p>\n All of these principles are fundamental to student learning as well. Our students need to take time to reflect on the knowledge they are gaining inside the classroom and through active work opportunities. They too need downtime even if just the weekend \u2013 just like the employees at Evernote, FullContact, Google, and elsewhere \u2013 to recharge and rejuvenate, so that they can come at things with fresh eyes and renewed energy.<\/p>\n Reed Hastings cites that he works hard to be a good role model and take vacations, especially because he sees this as key to his ability to think creatively and innovatively at Netflix. And I can relate; I do some of my best thinking and planning when I\u2019m refreshed and have been able to detach a bit and see the broad picture. I am more than happy with the vacation benefits at my work, though frankly I have to get better at actually \u201cvacating.\u201d I am one of those people who does check email and even hold calls while allegedly on vacation, and yes, even daily. But I\u2019ll say this: the calls and email are much better from a kayak!<\/p>\n While I like the fall and spring seasons best, perhaps like most true Northeasterners summer brings the joys of a true vacation. Many think that anyone who works at a college has the summer off, and though that is actually not the case for most administrators like me or my team, we do try to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"vacatepic\"](\"https:\/\/questromworld.bu.edu\/udc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2016\/07\/vacatepic-232x300.png\")
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