Definition

Results-Only Work Environment, where employees are evaluated solely on output rather than hours worked or butts in seats. The radical notion that adults can be trusted to manage their own time as long as work gets done.

Example Usage

Since switching to a ROWE model, our productivity increased by 30% and nobody cares if you work from a beach in Bali.

Origin

Coined in 2003 by Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson at Best Buy's corporate headquarters

Fun Fact

Best Buy eventually abandoned ROWE in 2013 when new leadership wanted more 'collaboration,' proving that even good ideas can't survive bad management.

Source: Alternative work arrangement terminology

Related Terms

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See “ROWE” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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