How transparency is changing the world of work: Big Brother in the office & in terms of salaries

Transparency is one of the most contradictory topics of our time: openness sounds positive at first, but can also put pressure on, as a study shows. Especially in the Working world.

Transparency - reality or publicity stunt?

The Pirate Party broadcasts its faction meetings publicly, customers, Consumers want to know where and how their goods are best sustained have been established, citizens expect transparency from their administrations and Candidate would like advance insights into Companys get.

They are also happy to comply with this wish - superficially and effectively. I'm thinking, for example, of Andrus Järg, General Manager of Skype Estonia - where it's in Office even a sauna has WiFi. I interviewed Järg last year and he said about transparency and openness:

 “We have an open office here, not closed rooms, and I also work in an open office myself. That gives me a very good one Communication with my employees and also strengthened the cooperation with each other. The best Motivation for me are others People. So when I notice that my productivity is dropping, I look for an exchange with my employees and together we try to Solutions for the Problem to find."

Fear of too much transparency

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In fact, such transparent work environments with lots of glass and open-plan offices are common in companies that are open act want to be the rule rather than the exception. But not everything that looks glassy and times of the NSA scandal and Anxiety Certain fears of digital surveillance also seem justified.

As early as 2010, carmaker Porsche caused a sensation by banning its employees from using social media. The reason was not the fear of dwindling productivity, but rather the fear of industrial espionage.

Does transparency become unproductive?

But also for them Employees too much transparency is no benefit at all, as Harvard's Ethan S. Bernstein says Business School found in its survey of 32 companies.

The result was: Employees who were unobserved feel from ExecutiveFor example, because they are not in the same office or cannot constantly look into the office through the glass, they performed ten to 15 percent better in the same working hours than their transparent colleagues, who were constantly exposed to the eyes of the boss.

Reason: Anyone who feels observed likes to simulate busyness, diligence and Commitment – and wasting precious ones in the process Energy. Because instead of being productive, these employees often produce hot air and pur actionism.

Transparent employment contracts

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There are, of course, advantages of transparency: job seekers are expected to do a lot these days: Among other things, accepting working conditions that may not be quite perfect. But that's not ok. so. And above all, employment contracts must be one thing: understandable.

Contracts must be transparent, they must not contain any hidden or incomprehensible clauses that disadvantage one of the contracting parties. This also applies to employment contracts (BAG, judgment of 24.10.07): here too, according to BGB § 307, only clauses and regulations may be included that you as an employee also understand.

Salary transparency: The Norwegians disclose everything

About Money one does not speak, says the vernacular. Also the Privacy stipulates that salaries of individuals remain secret. At least in Germany. In other countries it will Income simply published online. What is fueling more envy and dissatisfaction now? think about it. Through Twitter I came across this interesting post by Rainer Doh on PR Makers:

By chance I came across a Norwegian website where income and Taxes of citizens are published in full and in great detail. skattelister.no is somewhat simple, but clearly arranged and shows us 100 people with the highest incomes for all Norwegian locations.

Doh then makes fun of the fact that the Norwegians are so lax about data protection. I was wondering what would happen if everyone knew what we were doing to earn. One argument for privacy is for sure the culture of envy: if one knows that the other has more, then one is jealous of the other. But: isn't he anyway? Often because you think the other person has more. But that doesn't have to be the case!

Data protection - protective function for foam bats?

I ask quite provocatively: Isn't data protection also a nice protective wall for whiskers? I would say that a lot of people would probably look pretty stupid if you knew what they really deserve. Namely little. And everyone would say, "What, just so much?" In the end, is data protection a cheap excuse for dubious show-offs and maybe a few rich super bigwigs who have made a lot of money thanks to flimsy speculation?

Maybe not nice: But maybe that would help limit the social envy in our country that was fueled by our government's recent austerity plans. Many would realize that they needn't be jealous at all. Transparency as a stop button for the culture of envy?

Help, culture of envy: lower your pants?

By the way: that Internet shows it. Many bloggers publish their advertising earnings. That works Honestly and sympathisch. And yet: The thought “You don’t talk about money” is stuck in my mind Head. Also in mine. After all, I would feel a little like my pants were down if I were to disclose my income here. But what if everyone did that? Well, then we'd all be in the same boat. I think that's worth thinking about!

Before misunderstandings arise: The article is to be seen as an ironically exaggerated suggestion of thought about the different perspectives on data protection in different countries. Apparently the Scandinavians are very relaxed with our topic - also for my terms. You can be amazed, amused - or take up the topic and discuss it. Hence my food for thought. I would be happy about more!

Transparency for customer acquisition

In the end, I happened to come across a successful example of transparency Workplace encountered Pierre Weller practically stripped naked for his guests at his Logis-Hotel La Source des Sens in Alsace.

No, not what you think. But in his hotel kitchen, he has installed a black-and-white camera that lets diners in the restaurant see exactly what's going on in the kitchen, like a living blackboard.

“Cooking is a craft, you don't have to hide it,” he explains, and: “You should see that we don't sleep in the kitchen, even if it takes a little longer. That creates trust. ” On the other hand, he does not feel observed or disturbed: "I no longer think about the camera," he says. So maybe the self-chosen transparency is something else.

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