staff want their employers to 'disorganise'
"People want to work in organisations that feel a bit more human, and offer greater flexibility and autonomy..."
The DEMOS report predicts a change in culture and management style, in organisations in the future. The authors argue that businesses will have to 'disorganise' in order to retain creative people who expect greater freedom and flexibility at work.
- 85% of respondents thought that flexible working would increase job satisfaction
- 59% also said that they would allow their staff to work more flexibly
- 56% expect that demand would increase from employees wanting to get involved in corporate social responsibility projects, such as volunteering in the community
Authors of the report, Paul Miller and Paul Skidmore, say that companies will have to loosen up, so they feel less like organisations to their employees. “This is what we mean by 'disorganisation'. People want to work in organisations that feel a bit more human, and offer greater flexibility and autonomy. They want to work for organisations that respect and reflect their values; they want to define their work rather than have work define their identity.”
responding to the demand for 'disorganisation'
Business leaders expect to have to respond to this demand for flexibility and autonomy.
“It is increasingly important that an organisation meets the needs of its people in order to meet the broader demands of business, shareholders and customers. If not, the employees and intellectual capital they possess will walk out the door, taking an irreplaceable part of the organisation with them.”
Paul Tollet, vice president of Orange business, Orange UK.
A few case study companies have successfully blazed the trail for 'disorganisation'.
- Innocent Drinks, recently voted UK employer of the year, encourage everyone in the company to choose their own job title
- Semco lets employees set their own manager's salary
- WL Gore has no managers, secretaries or employees. Instead they have a global network of 6,000 associates
However, there are thousands of other organisations who would like to follow suit - but would not know how to start. The report looks at ways in which organisations can manage the desire among employees for a greater sense of 'disorganisation' in an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
