We’ve certainly had our share of winter weather here in the US this year so far. Blimey, we’ve even had an inch of snow here in Dallas for heaven’s sake! When the weather prevents employees from making it to work, what happens to productivity and how does it affect your employees and company? We think it’s a no-lose situation, and here’s why …
You know we have this research on behaviors and stuff right? Well, turns out you don’t need one of those doggy-cams to see what your employees do when locked in the house all day by themselves. You see, behavior is extremely predictable: those employees that have behaviors related to team and personal relationships will probably be on the phone all day trying to keep connecting with their team; those employees that are extremely task oriented and prefer individual behaviors will “disappear” for the day, but probably be highly productive.
But, are they working? Well, as I said at the start, it’s a no-lose situation. You see, those employees with behaviors of routine and discipline will probably start the day like any other and keep plugging away at what they were working on (if they possibly can). Those employees that are more “free-form” in their structure may take time to connect with their (also stuck) families, and use the day as a diversion from work. Does that worry you? Wait, aren’t you always trying to force employees to take some time off and retrieve some work/life balance? Nothing better for this than building a mega snow fort with the kids!
The way I see it, snow days are one of nature’s ways to help reset the metronome and provide us with a diversion where we all actually win. We either get the opportunity to restore our personal batteries, or perhaps even accelerate our productivity, by allowing us to live out our preferred behaviors in peace and isolation.
I hope everyone stays warm and safe out there!