CultureRx is a consultancy that helps employers create a better ROWE—Results Oriented Work Environment.  Folks stuck in stodgy cube farms might lobby their firm to loosen up and give them a call.

Basically, Jody Thompson and Cali Ressler advise companies on how to improve employee results (and morale) by punting fixed schedules and mandatory meetings—and replacing them with an uber-flexible approach.  As in,

free to do whatever they want whenever they want as long as the work gets done.” 

According to this article, it seems to be working.  CultureRx is enjoying impressive growth, and landing some big-fish corporations.  The idea may not be revolutionary in these times, but making 90-degree turns in some companies may be. 

The only risk, perhaps, may be that employees become Crackberries—people who “work” on and off, all the time—and neglect free time, leisure pursuits, and personal space.  That said, let’s hope CultureRx gets a chance to give lots of stodgy workplaces to take some new medicine.  

Trends pop up like wildflowers in the spring.  One of the latest to blossom during this downturn is camps, cafes, and parties at which unemployed people gather to sow seeds for the future.  Some of them even host a happy hour + cash bar!  (Hey, drinking is one activity that also booms during bust times…)

Churches, community centers, and even restaurants provide the space for folks to network and mingle.  And often, a speaker or career counselor offers advice and consolation.  The cost?  Usually free.  Nice! 

Good stuff, these gatherings.  After all, when you’re jobless and anxious, you need ideas and support.  And the most likely candidates for sincerely supplying those essentials are people stuck in the same swamp.  Compassion loves company. 

Survey sez: 

77%.  When asked what they found difficult about taking time off from work for vacation, percentage of full-time employed adults who said it was their first day back after vacation. 

44%.  Percentage who found the last day in the office before vacation to be difficult.   Source:  Randstad-USA

The stats and stories about unused vacation time in the USA are sad and startling.  But these numbers provide a glimpse into the working lives of the poor stiffs who find taking time off to be “difficult.” 

Of course, that day before and after breaking away can be a challenge.  But don’t most worthwhile pursuits in life come with a cost?  Heck, even vedging in front of the TV requires some electronics, cable or satellite, cold beer and fresh chips! 

Since enjoying hard-earned vacation time can be so challenging, BreakAways make even more sense.  After all, the workday before and after escaping for a month or six probably isn’t any more “difficult” than when you take a week off. 

And for sure the payoff is much, much bigger!  

Where can you find pleasure

Search the world for treasure

Learn science technology

Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true

On the land or on the sea

Where can you learn to fly

Play in sports and skin dive

Study oceanography

Sign of for the big band

Or sit in the grandstand

When your team and others meet

–From “In the Navy” by the Village People

“I’d rather be at work doing nothing than sitting at home spending money.” 

More than 80% of KPMG’s UK partners have applied to work a four day week or take a sabbatical after the Big Four firm announced a scheme last week aimed at avoiding redundancies.The voluntary scheme, announced last week, is one of the first of its kind by a big accounting firm. Eight other countries within the KPMG group are thought to be considering similar schemes.
       

GM also has the same idea, as reported last month and blogged about by yours truly right here.

First off, kudos to KPMG.  Second, let’s hope the partners taking their variation of a BreakAway will find ways to fight the stress of uncertainty and instead embrace the unexpected gift of free time. 

• After all, it sure beats getting fired.  

And for those ready for a change of pace, here’s your chance.  A chance to clean out the clutter.  Take a trip to see the relatives.  Learn to paint or do Pilates or play piano.

So I’m sitting in my beauty parlour, awaiting my ‘poo and trim and manicure…oh never mind.  (I wish!  But who has time!?!)

Actually, while creating this website, we learned today this site shows up second when you Google BreakAway.  Yowza!  And we haven’t even finished or launched!

I may never be a blogstar, but I’m a Google star.  As Grandma always said,

“Hey, that’s better than a kick in the pants!”

The first item on the list indeed belonged to Elle–and it was all about breaking up, I guess.  (Hard to do.)  But low & behold, another Elle link takes you to a “Break Away” sabbatical story.  Have we created a love-in?  Or are we only flirting?  (There are many Elle stories about THAT too, of course.)

Anyway, once again, the secret to getting your employer to acquiesce to your BreakAway is to be a kick-butt employee.  As Garrison Keillor always states at the end of The Writer’s Almanac, “Do Good Work!”

Barbara Moses, author of Dish: Midlife Women Tell the Truth About Work, Relationships and the Rest of Life, offers these additional thoughts:

“It’s much easier to get a sabbatical if you’re good at your job than if you’re a mediocre performer;”

“Recommend someone for your position or advise on how your job can be restructured;”

“Show appreciation for your job and company;”

“Demonstrate what your company will get out of giving you a sabbatical;”

“Convince your employer that you can be a great role model of work/life balance and that you’ll come back rejuvenated.”

Thanks, Elle. I’d go talk to my boss–if only I had one.

Now, about those new flirting tips…

Read it and reap. Or weep. But read it, and realize (if nothing else) that there are a few BreakAway Brethren out there. There are even gracious employers out there using the downturn as an excuse not to downsize, but offer Sabbaticals!   Sign me up!

We shall change the world! One blogpost, one BreakAway, one bobbing head at a time!