Richard Branson with popular Nigerian comedian, Basketmouth
In his interview with CNN, the American
billionaire says “Treat people as human beings, give them that
flexibility and I don’t think they’ll abuse it. And they’ll get the job
done.”
This “luxury” will apply to an estimated
160 staff at the offices in New York, London, Geneva and Sydney, and if
the policy proves to be working, all other subsidiaries will then be
encouraged to follow suit.
Branson apparently drew his inspiration from Netflix,
(a video-rental company) which does not track its employees’ holidays
and yet is still a successful player dominating its field.
Branson believes that Virgin staff will
not abuse the new initiative, citing that they are only going to do it
when they feel a hundred per cent comfortable that they and their team
are up to date on every project and that their absence will not in any
way damage the business—or, for that matter, their careers.
Some management consultant are worried
that with the doing away of monitoring and seeking approval for
vacation, it might result in unintended pressure to take less time-off
instead.
