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Sun’s iWork Program

by Christine(Yuna) on February 23rd, 2006

In an effort to save real estate cost, Sun Microsystem located in California launched a flexible work program in 1996 to allow its employees to choose where and when to work. Employees have the freedom to work from home or nearby drop-in centers. According to the company, the program has saved company $69 million in 2005 alone. By giving the employees flexibilities to accommodate their child care and health care needs also created fierce company loyalty.

I don’t know how many large companies are actively encouraging telecommunication. The last thing I know is that we still have to fight for the rights to work from home once a while. I have worked with many different companies in a few industries. Almost every company I have been to requires its employees to be on site from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. I haven’t had a single client who allows flexible work schedule. Too bad that I never got a gig with Sun. Personally, I don’t see having employees being physically in an office everyday is necessarily especially when we can all log onto company’s network from our own homes. On most of the days, we work on our own computers and dial into conference calls to discuss the projects. Yes, co-workers interactions such as chit chats and coffee breaks definitely create important bonding. But I am sure we will just do fine with each other if we come in only a few days a week.

I start to wonder why the companies are so reluctant to execute the telecommunication program and encourage the employees to take advantage of it. Was it because of the trust issue or the management is too stubborn to adapt to changes? I have worked from home on occasional cases before. With fewer distractions, I actually got more work done!

I am about to start my ‘iWork” soon. I have the freedom to choose whether I want to work in our mobility center or home on a daily basis. I am afraid that once I have a taste of it, I may never want to go back to the traditional office 5 days a week. Hopefully, the leaders of the 21st century corporations are able to recognize that a flexible work program not only saves company’s bottom line but also create much happier employees.

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POSTED IN: Fabulous Work Life Balance