Face Time vs. Flex Time

Great article at HBR:

Attract and retain talent, display trust towards employees, save costs, increase productivity:

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/hbr/hewlett/2009/10/a_major_milestone_is_within.html

"[I]t's been proven that flexibility is a powerful lure in recruiting and motivating top talent. [...]. Eliminating watercooler gossip sessions — a significant time sink in a high-anxiety environment — is a huge boost to productivity. And knowing that an employer trusts and respects its people enough to help them do what it takes to perform better [...] pays back in greater appreciation and loyalty. "

How to formalize it:
"Eligible employees — workers with no past or current performance issues — propose their own flex arrangements; managers assess whether the arrangements will allow them to meet performance and productivity goals. Trial periods and semi-annual reviews gauge success and fix problems before they mushroom. "

"Formalizing flextime has one other unsung but important consequence: It takes the stigma out of asking for time off. Knowing that there's some give — and not all take — in the workplace does powerful things for high-performers on a tightrope. "