4 ms·
Is 20% time really still alive and well at Google?
by tobinfricke 12y ago
Is 20% time really still alive and well at Google?
- rjaco31 12y agoI heard they removed it
- skj 12y agoYou heard wrong.
- skj 12y ago20% is still encouraged, but it's hard to fit it in sometimes.
- mratzloff 12y agoThen it's not 20% time, as most engineers external to Google understand it.
- eru 12y agoNobody will force you to take 20% time. Some managers actively encourage their teams to take it; but more often, it's up to the individual to step up and grab.
- elementai 12y agoI understand that there are different days, but is there a possibility, like 0% on hard days and 30% on easy ones at Google?
- eru 12y agoYou can bank your 20% time for up to a quarter automatically. (Or more, with approval.)
- muzz 12y agoMy understanding was: * engineers have to apply and have their idea approved * performance reviews are based on primary tasks, and 20% is not included so if doing a 20% project reduces production elsewhere (and how could it not unless you work 20% more?), it would seem to be a negative
- eru 12y agoThere's a pre-approved list that most people's projects fall under. It includes open source work, tinkering, prototype, learning (eg new programming language), teaching, etc. You only need to apply, if you have something special outside of those areas. You should inform your manager. But that's just common sense. Your 20% efforts explicitly go into your performance evaluation, so it won't be a negative. I see it as an opportunity to learn and work with (and from) people, I don't normally deal with.
- jemfinch 12y agoNot in my experience.