Most design firms operate like factories.
For reasons I still do not understand, the majority of senior managers cannot bring themselves to trust their professional employees. In today's competitive market, though, more engineering firms should look at alternative work practices such as flex time, telecommuting and sabbatical programs. It has been my experience that the best and the brightest employees have discovered that their talents come from a blend of work, home and personal interests. With alternative work concepts and retention benefits. When I graduated in 1978, I went to work for one of the nation's largest engineering firms.