How Company Time Is Like Rental Cars

When it comes to work time, ownership cannot be shared. It either belongs to the employee or the employer.

The problem with someone not owning something is that they stop caring for it. Rental cars are a good example. You wouldn't take a rental to get detailed or get its tires rotated. Why would you? You’ll return it in a couple of days and never see it again. Why invest resources in something you won’t get to enjoy?

Well, the same thing happens with time. When employees don’t own their time, they stop caring for it. Why invest in finding ways to perform a job better or faster if you won’t get to enjoy the benefits? Sure, a lot of us find a sense of fulfillment in doing things “the right way,” but that has a limit. When you feel stuck in a 8-hour (or 10-hour?) workday, you’re just counting each second to get your stuff and leave. Did you finish that project earlier than planned? Doesn't matter; you’re still stuck in the office. Why bother.

Now, if you’re a manager, you’re probably thinking that you should own your employees’ time. You are paying for it, aren’t you? Well, no. What you are paying for is a result. You want those reports done, that feature shipped, or those deals closed. Why do you care if this happens from 9 to 5? Or In 6 hours instead of 10? For some reason, people feel ripped off when they pay for something that gets done too quickly. Ever paid a locksmith $150 to unlock a door and it takes that person 10 seconds to do it? It feels like you got screwed. But would you want it to take longer? That doesn't make any sense.

Giving employees ownership of their time gives them a reason to improve, to innovate, to be more efficient. Will some people do their jobs faster to have a little more personal time? Sure. Will some use that time to get more work done? Maybe. In practice, you’ll find that most people will land somewhere in the middle. And that’s a net gain for everyone.