[dacracot]

I'll caveat my remarks first by admitting that I nearly completely ignorant of Google's 20% policy, but since it was widely advertised, my workplace made a similar statement that one half of each Friday should be dedicated to learning something new to benefit the team and thereby our careers. All I could ever think of after this proclamation was that I was to do as I was told 85% of the time and innovate 15%. As a developer, I offended that my innovations are devalued to a time slot. I was under the impression that I was expected to innovate continuously within the confines of the deadlines given. My two cents.

[darkwizard42]

Did you consider that maybe setting Friday up for everyone was to allow everyone who wanted to participate to work together without scheduling challenges or conflicts with their hired roles/team obligations?

This is like saying a Hackathon is devaluing creativity because it occurs at a scheduled time...

[dacracot]

I get your point, but without paragraphs of explanation, I doubt I could persuade you. I can say this... It was meant as a solitary exercise, not as a group.

[FalconSensei]

Bu then, if everyone stops to work alone at different times, you have a problem scheduling work things... I.e: if you want to take Tuesday afternoon to do your things, but then they need you for meetings/work on something else.

[tolbish]

Don't you innovate during the other 85%? Likewise, couldn't you spend that remaining 15% doing rote, uninteresting work of your choosing?

To me, the concept of 20% time is the freedom to choose what you're working on, not how you should be working.

[swyx]

oh i love this! unintended consequences always arise - this is one of those reasons why I asked the question. thank you for sharing how this felt.