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Paying it Forward

Aneth Ng-Lim

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1714376292148teleworker.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Artwork created using Midjourney AI "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:center;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;float:none;display:inline !important"><em>Artwork created using Midjourney AI</em></span><em> </em></span></span></span>The weather has become so unbearably hot lately that many are talking about having a 4-day work week. But even if the weather improves, there are merits to a flexible work style that allows employees the choice to work 4 days a week, or work from home, or set their own hours such as earlier start, or later start so long as they clock in the hours required.  </div><p>While the pandemic lockdown forced many companies to review employee work hours and adopt remote work arrangements, this is actually not a new phenomenon. Back in 2019, Microsoft Japan tested a four-day, 32-hour workweek and found that productivity jumped by 40 percent. Its employees reported being happier and more focused during working hours, and the company found that people used less time off, among other benefits.</p><p>According to Yoshihisa Aono, CEO of Japan-based Cybozu, Inc., companies have been considering reduced workdays and flexible hours for a long time, but there were a few obstacles in the way. “We didn’t fully understand the relationship between flexibility and productivity. The tools, policies, and systems to properly accommodate diverse workstyles were not widespread.”</p><p>“All that has changed in recent years. The rise and democratization of digital workplace tools have expanded our options for where and when we work, all while improving productivity,” said Aono.  </p><p>We talked to Cybozu who is one of Japan&#x27;s leading groupware providers as their company champions teamwork, workstyle reforms, and community support. Recognized as one of Japan&#x27;s top 3 workplaces by Great Place to Work®, the organization is dedicated to fostering a great work environment. They have designed software solutions that emphasize collaboration and efficiency including the cloud-based platform Kintone, which has become integral to many global businesses since its launch in 2011.</p><p>Another plus is that Aono himself champions teamwork and happiness, and has written several books including Chiimu no koto dake, kangaeta (All I thought of was the team) and Kaisha to iu monsutaa ga, watashitachi wo fukou ni shiteiru kamoshirenai (That monster we call &#x27;company&#x27; might be making us unhappy).</p><p>In Cybozu, Aono explained that the goal of their policies is to allow each employee to define their own workstyle, at the intersection of personal well-being and productivity. “Our corporate mission is to ‘build a society brimming with teamwork,’ which is at the heart of our approach to corporate culture.”</p><p>In sharing their employee policies, I found at least 7 aspirational things we can consider when looking for our next employer.  These would satisfy even the Millennial and Gen Z workforce, many of whose discontent led to trends like &#x27;quiet quitting&#x27; and &#x27;Lazy Girl Jobs&#x27;.</p><div> </div><div><strong>#1 Flexible work arrangements</strong>  </div><p>At Cybozu, employees get to choose their work hours and their workplace, together with their team members.  I must admit that from all my years doing corporate work, it’s my first to come across all these options and I am green with envy.  In the past, the best you could have would have been some say on your work hours, or your workplace, but not both, and certainly not in consultation with your team.  But this policy can clearly help make everyone productive because you would all be working at the same time, from where it is best for each of you.</p><div><strong>#2 Flexible choice of hardware  </strong></div><p>Cybozu employees can choose the system that best suits them.  If you’ve been limited by the hardware and software available at your company, you will welcome the option to choose the tools that will make you more productive.</p><div><strong>#3 Allowing side jobs  </strong></div><p>If you like the hustle culture, this one’s for you.  At Cybozu, side jobs are allowed for both full-time and part-time employees, if they don&#x27;t violate common sense rules.  For example, obviously, you can&#x27;t simultaneously work for a competitor.  Your side job will also have to be in compliance with national laws around work time.  </p><p>“Other than that there are no ironclad restrictions, and we have employees with all sorts of side jobs: engineers who want to develop additional skills, creatives who are looking to produce other forms of content, managers who want to increase their business strategy experience by consulting for start-ups, and so on,” Aono pointed out.  He added that this policy was designed so “Cybozu employees can pursue passion projects or develop skills they wouldn’t have the opportunity to develop otherwise.”</p><div><strong>#4 Team building events  </strong></div><p>This is usually the first to go when a company wants to cut down expenses, and during the pandemic lockdown, many employers stopped the practice and chose not to resume even when things went back to normal.  At Cybozu, a biannual teamwork allowance is made available for team-building events. </p><div><strong>#5 Extra cash to network  </strong></div><p>Who would say no to meeting colleagues from different offices and countries?  If you work for a regional or a multinational company, this is always a plus to boost your career.  Cybozu provides a global connection stipend, to encourage its employees from different cultures to get together and socialize.</p><div><strong>#6 Investing in you  </strong></div><p>There’s more cash, and this time it’s a stipend for career learning, which employees can use for anything from business skills to coding, to learning new languages. </p><div><strong>#7 Generous parental leave</strong> </div><p>Aono himself took this following the birth of all three of his children. For parents or those planning to get married and start a family, parental leaves that are more generous than the law provides would be hard to resist.</p><div><br/></div><p>Aono admitted there are still many obstacles and misconceptions to flexible work. “Communications issues, feelings of isolation, and inefficiencies are real problems, which companies must consider and address proactively. At Cybozu, we do so by promoting a culture of open communication, emphasizing output and results over hours worked, and providing everyone in the company with the environment and tools they need to do their best work.”</p><p>“In the long term, providing employees with flexibility regarding how, when and where they want to work will be the only way of remaining competitive in the employment market and securing top talent. I also believe flexible workstyles are simply better for the well-being of employees, and people who enjoy their work will always be more engaged and productive,” added Aono.</p><p>With Labor Day just around the corner, it’s a good time to reflect on your work situation and consider if it’s time for a change.</p>

<p>While the pandemic lockdown forced many companies to review employee work hours and adopt remote work arrangements, this is actually not a new phenomenon.</p>

While the pandemic lockdown forced many companies to review employee work hours and adopt remote work arrangements, this is actually not a new phenomenon.