Thanks to a new study pubished in MIT Sloan Management Review this week, we have some fun new terms to discuss today. Except, they're not really new. 

If you haven't read any of the multitude of articles (like here, here, and here) about this study, then here's a quick overview. The study argues that office workers and bosses are heavily influenced by “passive face time,” the mere presence of someone’s face in the office on a regular basis. The data shows, whether consciously or unconsciously, managers focus on presenteeism when it comes down to performance reviews and promotions.

Now for the new, fun terms:

Expected Face-Time
Being seen at work during normal hours (a.k.a. presenteeism).

Extracurricular Face-Time
Being seen at work outside of normal hours (a.k.a presenteeism).

Remote Workers Face-Time Tactics
Sending email at very early or late hours. Responding to email right away. Being "extra present" when you do come into the office. (a.k.a. waste of time and energy!)

What is the take-away from the findings of the study? Is it a call-to-arms to change corporate culture for good? Is it a renewed determination to focus on objective results from each employee, rather than subjective face-time shenanigans? Not quite.

Amazingly, the over-arching message is this one: "Working from home might cost you that promotion." Teleworkers beware!

To us, this study confirms the importance of one of our key messages, one of the guideposts of Results-Only Work Environment, and why it is such a revolutionary approach to work. And that message is: work isn't somewhere you go, it's something you do.

The dialogue surrounding this study shouldn't be "Here are some ways to show your boss you really ARE working hard from home!" (and we predict there will be more articles coming out that detail a plethora of ways to do this).

The conversation has to move beyond telework. Employees shouldn't feel compelled to send late-night emails or perform ridiculous charades to prove their value, and that goes for any type of worker.

In a Results-Only Work Environment, employees can do whatever they want whenever they want, as long as the work gets done. No more pointless meetings, racing to get in at 9:00 am, or begging for permission to watch your kid play soccer. No more cramming errands into the weekend, or waiting until retirement to take up your hobbies again. You make the decisions about what you do and where you do it, every minute of every day.

Promotions are based on RESULTS - what a 2012 concept!

image credit: elod beregszaszi