Let me tell you a story 50 years in the making.

I moved to the Town of Georgina when I was 18 months old.  I've lived here 50 years.

We've never had much tech infrastructure so I can't tell you how excited I was to learn that our new community centre has an audio and video recording studio I can use for podcasting.

I thought it would be a simple matter to get someone from the town on my podcast to talk about the MURC (Multi-Use Recreation Centre).  Not so.  It's an ongoing adventure.

This episode lays the groundwork - my personal history, media and journalism in small towns in Ontario, PR for politicians and a surprise cameo from my first employer.  And drama surrounding gender neutral change rooms and Facebook.  It's a simple rule - don't get naked in public - that has the town confused.  

This is for all the people who have ever asked me about the Keswick dinner jacket.  We are so much more.  A hotbed of podcasters, the forefront of skills development. Eventually - if the software ever gets installed.

The Power of Appreciation

In this episode, I share my personal stories to illustrate the importance of appreciation and recognition in the workplace and how easy it is to get it wrong even with the best of intentions. I also talk about why some of the common practices of employee appreciation are ineffective and how we can do better.

Key Takeaways

• Appreciation goes deeper than just saying thank you or giving a gift. It’s about making people feel seen, valued, and respected for who they are and what they do.
• Scale is the enemy of intention. Just because you can do things at scale, it doesn’t mean you should. Mass emails, group recognition, and generic rewards are not meaningful or motivating for employees.
• Personalize and individualize your appreciation. Find out what matters to each person and tailor your recognition accordingly. Use their name, be specific, and be sincere.
• Appreciation is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous practice that earns trust, loyalty, and engagement. Make it a habit to appreciate your employees regularly and authentically.

Episode Call to Action:

• If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
• If you have any questions or feedback, you can email me at nola@nolasimon.com or tweet me at @nolasimontjo
• If you want to support the podcast and get access to exclusive content and perks, you can sign up for my email list.
• Join the waitlist for The Flexible Path community, reopening for new members April 1st.

Thank you for listening and I’ll see you in the next episode.

The Four Day Work Week

In this episode, Nola Simon shares her personal stories about the benefits of working a four day work week. She talks about how her husband’s experience with a flexible and creative job at a pattern making shop in Toronto inspired her to challenge the conventional narratives about work and productivity. She also reflects on how having an extra day off every week improved their quality of life and relationship.

Key Takeaways

• A four day work week can be a viable option for many types of work, not just knowledge work. Nola’s husband worked as a carpenter at a pattern making shop that made molds for various products, such as plastic packaging, battery packs, and even models for sex education. The shop owner designed the work schedule to be Monday to Thursday, with 40 hours of pay and overtime if needed.
• A four day work week can also be a source of creativity and personal fulfillment. Nola’s husband was allowed to use the shop’s machinery to work on his own projects on Fridays, such as making a mailbox, a jewelry chest, a deck swing, and a cedar chest. He also had access to the shop’s scrap wood, which he used to make some unusual models that sparked some interesting conversations around the campfire.
• A four day work week can have a positive impact on family and personal life. Nola and her husband commuted together four days a week, and he stayed home on Fridays to do chores, cook dinner, and prepare a relaxing bath for her. Nola says that she missed those days and that they really enjoyed having more time and energy to spend with each other.
• A four day work week can be rewarding when it allows for more self-care and personal time. Nola enjoyed having Wednesdays off every few weeks, when she could drop her kids at daycare and have a day to herself. She says that it kept her sane, made her feel valued, and was an important investment in her well-being.
• A four day work week can be controversial when it is not embraced by everyone in the team. Nola’s experiment with working extra hours and banking them for a day off was shut down because some of her colleagues felt it was unfair and complained. Nola says that management did not handle the situation well and that there was no accountability for the people who chose not to participate.
• A four day work week can be a catalyst for career advancement and personal growth. Nola says that missing the flexibility of having a day off every week motivated her to get a new job with more seniority and access to VPN. She also says that having experienced the benefits of a four day work week led her to advocate for more location flexibility in her work.

   

• The four-day workweek is an arrangement where employees or students work or attend school for four days instead of five, while maintaining the same pay or hours. This concept has gained popularity in recent years as a way to improve work-life balance, productivity, and well-being. Here are some articles that discuss the benefits and challenges of the four-day workweek:

  • These Canadian companies switched to a 4-day work week. Here’s why: This article from CBC News features the stories of several Canadian companies that participated in a pilot project organized by 4 Day Week Global and researchers at Boston College. The article reports that the companies experienced positive outcomes such as reduced stress, fewer sick days, and increased focus, without sacrificing revenue or customer satisfaction.
  • A four-day workweek: Some facts and figures to consider: This article from Statistics Canada provides some data and analysis on the feasibility and implications of a four-day workweek in Canada. The article examines factors such as labour shortage, overtime, capacity utilization, and employee satisfaction, and suggests that the viability of a four-day workweek may depend on the sector, industry, and employer.
  • The 4-day work week: benefits and risks: This article from BDO Canada, a professional services firm, explores the pros and cons of a four-day workweek from the perspectives of employers and employees. The article highlights the potential benefits of improved morale, retention, and innovation, as well as the potential risks of reduced flexibility, communication, and collaboration.
  • AI could make the four-day workweek inevitable (bbc.com)
  • What Is a Four-Day Workweek? (Benefits and Tips): This article from Indeed.com, a job search platform, explains what a four-day workweek is and how it can benefit both workers and employers. The article also offers some tips on how to implement a four-day workweek successfully, such as setting clear expectations, prioritizing tasks, and tracking results.
  • In the UK and elsewhere, the 4-day workweek grows in popularity: This article reports on the growing trend of the four-day work week around the world, and the benefits and challenges it poses for employers and employees. It also mentions some of the UK companies that have adopted or trialed the policy, such as Unilever, Kickstarter, and Buffer. 1
  • UK companies that tried a 4-day workweek report lasting benefits more than a year on: This article summarizes the findings of a research report that evaluated the impact of the four-day work week trial on 61 UK companies. It highlights the positive effects on staff retention, well-being, productivity, and revenue. It also quotes some of the business leaders and workers who participated in the trial. 2
  • UK four-day week trial hailed as a success one year on: This article focuses on the outcomes of the four-day work week trial for the 3,000 workers who took part in it. It cites the statistics on reduced sick days, lower burnout, and improved life satisfaction. It also mentions some of the challenges and recommendations for implementing the policy effectively. 3

Episode Call to Action:

• If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.
• If you have any questions or feedback, you can email me at nola@nolasimon.com or tweet me at @nolasimontjo
• If you want to support the podcast and get access to exclusive content and perks, you can sign up for my email list.
• Join the waitlist for The Flexible Path community, reopening for new members April 1st.

Thank you for listening and I’ll see you in the next episode.

Coffee Badging: A Trend in Hybrid Workplaces

In the world of hybrid work, a curious phenomenon has emerged: coffee badging. It’s not about java aficionados collecting stamps on their loyalty cards; rather, it’s a sly workaround for employees who are less than thrilled about returning to the office.

Here’s the scoop: Coffee badging involves employees showing up at the workplace just long enough to swipe their building ID, grab a cup of coffee, exchange pleasantries, and then promptly head home—akin to an Irish goodbye. According to a study by Owl Labs, nearly 60% of on-site workers have tried this tactic¹.

But why the covert coffee run? Let’s explore the motivations behind this trend and how organizations might address it:

1. Forced Office Return: Many employees harbor reservations about returning to the office. Some workplaces have become toxic due to disgruntled colleagues. Even those who don’t mind being in the office engage in coffee badging to avoid the negativity. The key question: Are they still productive elsewhere? How does this impact the team relationships and trust?¹.

2. Rewarding the Wrong Behavior: Some companies inadvertently reinforce the idea that visibility equals success. Employees feel pressured to be seen physically, even if it doesn’t enhance productivity. Managers who prioritize presence over results inadvertently encourage coffee badging. The fix? Evaluate performance based on effort and outcomes, not mere face time¹.

3. Deviant Conformity: Coffee badging falls into the category of deviant conformity. Employees conform to the letter of the policy (swiping in) while flouting its spirit (not fully engaging in office work). This behavior often arises from dissatisfaction with poorly designed policies. Organizations should revisit their mandates to ensure alignment with employee needs and expectations¹.

In summary, coffee badging reflects a nuanced response to workplace policies. While it may irk some managers, understanding the underlying reasons can guide better policy design. So, whether you’re a coffee badger or a policy maker, consider the balance between compliance and genuine engagement in the evolving world of work.

I first connected with Gavin because I noticed he was born in Keswick, UK.  I live in Keswick, Ontario, Canada.  They are spelled the same but pronounced differently.  This is known as affinity bias - I notice something about you that is similar to my own experience.  It's a tiny story that connects.

Gavin and I both love the power of storytelling.  It's essential for the future of work and key to distributed work (hybrid/remote).

I'd go as far as to say it's the future of leadership.

Gavin McMahon | LinkedIn

(1) fassforward: Posts | LinkedIn

Leadership & Storytelling Training | fassforward | New York

Foward Thinking - Gavin's LinkedIn newsletter

I first connected with Gavin because I noticed he was born in Keswick, UK.  I live in Keswick, Ontario, Canada.  They are spelled the same but pronounced differently.  This is known as affinity bias - I notice something about you that is similar to my own experience.  It's a tiny story that connects.

Gavin and I both love the power of storytelling.  It's essential for the future of work and key to distributed work (hybrid/remote).

I'd go as far as to say it's the future of leadership.

Gavin McMahon | LinkedIn

(1) fassforward: Posts | LinkedIn

Leadership & Storytelling Training | fassforward | New York

Foward Thinking - Gavin's LinkedIn newsletter

Just the facts.....as one of my prior guests told me "Get to the point". Thanks John Espiran.

Here's the full newsletter that inspired this commentary:

Details of The Flexible Path Community

Here's the link to join:

The Flexible Path (mn.co)

Purpose:

We bring together individuals embracing distributed work and advocates for hybrid/remote work to support one another in navigating the challenges and harnessing the benefits, so that we can inspire a new way of working that promotes flexibility, freedom, and personal development.

Chapters:

00:02:37 Driving Remote Work Success
00:03:56 Strategic Approach to Performance Reviews.
00:10:05 Leveraging Performance Reviews for Future Career Growth

Key Takeaways:
1. Documentation of development emails from manager
2. Recording initiatives and volunteer work
3. Documenting compliments, kudos, and shoutouts
4. Performance reviews as legal documents
5. Envisioning the future and seeking support from managers and company for learning and development

Also check out an older article I wrote about mid-year reviews: