Best Buy's Ditching ROWE is Setback for Employee Productivity

MALIBU, Calif. - March 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Los Angeles, Calif.--Best Buy's eliminating its Results Only Work Environment (ROWE) program will devastate employee morale and ultimately Best Buy's profits, says Dr. Noelle Nelson, author of The Power of Appreciation and Make More Money By Making Your Employees Happy.

         ROWE is a groundbreaking program that boosts employee performance by giving workers autonomy in the workplace--as long as their work is done. It is a proven motivational tool that is used in over 40 corporations. "Unfortunately, as is almost always the case, when a 'get tough, cost cutting' CEO comes on board, the new CEO has to flex his or her muscles with slash and burn techniques that only lead to a downward company spiral or takeover. Hubert Joly, Best Buy's CEO, appears to be using these ill-advised tactics."  

         Numerous studies have shown that ROWE increases productivity, decreases turnover and improves employee well-being and work-life balance. The Best Buy decision comes on the heels of Yahoo CEO's Marissa Mayer announcement to end ROWE, and in particular, telecommuting options for its employees.

         "What's ailing these companies is not their workers," says Nelson. "It's their management. Employees will give all they can to a company that trusts and respects them. Getting rid of ROWE sends a loud and clear message from management that employees are no longer trusted or respected. Does management actually think that by implementing these changes it will motivate employees to worker harder and be more loyal to the company? The opposite will occur."  

         Like any company-wide policy, Nelson believes ROWE needs to be managed properly. "It's naive to think a policy won't be abused by some if management is lacking in oversight," says Nelson. "Best Buy's stock might get a bump as a result of dropping ROWE because the stock market likes tough talk from a company's CEO, but it's the company employees who will have the final say."

         For  practical tips on how to value employees to the benefit of company success, go to http://www.noellenelson.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/HappyEmployeesEqualProfits (https://www.facebook.com/HappyEmployeesEqualProfits) or at Twitter.com/HappyProfits.