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Save a Worker’s Life: Get Them in a ROWE

Mar 3, 2010 » by Cali & Jody

You don’t need a scientist to tell you that being bored is . . . well . . . boring. But thanks to a recent study conducted by specialists from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London we now know that being bored can be . . . DEADLY.

Back in the mid eighties, British scientists interviewed 7,524 civil servants aged 35-55 to find out how bored they were (not just with their jobs, but with life in general). Then, last April, they checked back in with their survey group to find out who was still alive and kicking.

The people who had reported being energized and engaged were still doing fine. The bored ones . . . not so much:

Martin Shipley, who co-wrote the report to be published in the International Journal of Epidemiology this week, said: “The findings on heart disease show there was sufficient evidence to say there is a link with boredom.

“It is important that people who have dull jobs find outside interests to keep boredom at bay, rather than turn to drinking or smoking.”

Or you could make those jobs less dull.

We know from the work of great thinkers such as FLOW author Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (check out his TED talk on what makes life worth living for a sample of his brilliance) that people who are engaged with their jobs feel far less boredom and anxiety.

We also know that the jobs themselves don’t have to be inherently exciting. Getting into a state of flow has far more to with people feeling that their abilities and the challenge before them are properly matched.

Finally, we know from our experiences with a Results-Only Work Environment is that even repetitive jobs can feel more meaningful to people if they are given control over how and when they do the work. When Best Buy online’s order validation department went ROWE the employees reported feeling far more engaged with their work, even though the work itself (which at times could be a drag) hadn’t changed.

So let’s save some lives, people. Rather than buy that bored co-worker a stiff drink after a long day, get them some schedule control instead!

  • Concerned Employee

    Interesting post!
    You go through life and face many hurdles. Your job could be a place that could frustrate you and it could affect your health. Personally, I have seen people deteriorate in their jobs up to the point that they cannot function in their jobs. They are trapped in that empty hole and it is very hard to dig themselves out. Definitely, your blog describes this situation very clearly. People need a philosophy to survive the boredom of their jobs. You are right, if a person would have ownership of his/her time that would mean a lot for that employee.

  • Interested

    I think that all of you the evidence you present really does indicate that ROWE has a place in corporate environments. Unfortunately, I think it will not be easily embraced by middle management who love tracking their staff’s every move. My generation tends to think of work as a thing you do (project based) whereas earlier generations thought of work as a place you go. I find this mindset to be VERY hard for people to let go of. In fact, I can think of a few people who would have to be medicated heavily at my company to allow ROWE to happen. I can dream though.