It was a difficult decision for Yahoo's Chief Executive Marissa Mayer, whom is still struggling over the matter. This new policy will hopefully provide a more professional setting for employees and instill a stronger work ethic. The downfall to enforcing the dreaded nine to fiver is the digression of the company, meaning, reverting back to traditional 1950s work-force ideals would be a step back for such an innovative company.
Prerna Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Smule Incorporated, a music app developing company, believes that compromising with employees is a key factor for running a successful business. At first, freedom to work at home was only a dream for Gupta, and to only realize after leaving the 9-5 world to pursue a business at home that a professional setting does affect work integrity and disturbs the thought process by unnecessary distractions that are apparent while at home.
Gupta's first opinion about the subject was relief that she was not an employee of Yahoo, but later understood the logic behind Mayer's decision. According to Gupta, after starting her own company, gave lead-way in the office by making it necessary for employees to spend three days in the office instead of the traditional five. Shortly after Smule Inc. acquired Gupta's music app. developing company Khush, the obvious was pointed out--there had to be a reasonable balance--the office is not just a place for work, but also a great environment to bounce of initial ideas and create closer, personal bonds with fellow employees.
From rational persuasion, Gupta was able to convince Smule executives to abide by the three-day-a-week plan--so employees can equally spend time at home and their office instead of constantly being reminded of the confines of the conventional office setting.
After much thought, Yahoo executives came to the conclusion that there are too many variables to account for if Yahoo employees are to work entirely from home. Discussions on break, getting lunch with a few co-workers, meeting new employees and the more active contact an employee initiates with co-workers should improve job productivity and volume of output: Communication and Compromise.
