Ask John: Home can put the heart back into the working life If colleagues feel their best work is done at home, at the kitchen table or in the shed, that's fine by me. People who work in the way that suits them best are likely to be more productive. The priority isn't how, where, or when people do their job, what matters is what they achieve. Good business shouldn't be driven by process. It should concentrate on results. Bosses who find it difficult to trust their team don't attract the best talent. We found some great recruits simply by being flexible and recognising that working from home can work well. You don't do yourself any favours by dictating the conditions of employment. Pick the best personalities then let them work the way that suits them best. It is better for your business to be in tune with your people rather than to expect every individual to fit in with your organisation. The old way of command and control is old hat. Today good bosses put their people first and manage by giving support instead of making rules. Recently I met a social psychologist, who explained that the trust and freedom to work to your own timetable, instead of to a rule book, reduces stress, increases self-confidence and improves well-being. I believe her. Some 25 years ago I was a workaholic programmed to be in the office from 8.00am to 6.00pm. Two friends helped me kick the drudgery drug. I changed my routine. Every month I played an early game of golf with Gordon and at 8.00am one day every week I played tennis with Tom. At first I felt guilty, but, looking back, the less time I spent in the office the better I did for the business. Of course there are shirkers who would take advantage - the y are the same characters who currently fritter away their day at the office, chatting in the smoking area or sneaking a few minutes on Facebook. Good managers deal promptly with the poor performers and support people who deliver the goods. Having said all that, the woman from Yahoo! has a point, home workers must make the occasional trip to the office. They can't work completely in a world of their own and still feel part of the organisation. I, too, am a home worker. Last year, to keep me well out of the way, Alex moved my study into the attic. It has been fantastic, providing hours of peace and quiet, the perfect place to think, something you can seldom do at the office. This column was written in my new study where I also wrote a short guide to flexible working which has just been published under the title How to Employ the Best People by Making Flexible Working work. I have 20 free copies which I am happy to send to the first readers who email a request to the address below. Q What is the consequence if an employer does not pay the minimum wage? A Notwithstanding the draconian penalties, paying less than the minimum wage must be bad for business. By penny-pinching on the payroll you will struggle to attract the right talent and those willing to work for low wages are unlikely to be loyal when they discover they are paid much less than the mates they meet down the pub. Even if you are tempted to break the rules, the penalties should be sufficient to put you off. Employees can either go to an Employment Tribunal to claim the shortfall or contact the taxman, who will investigate and where necessary issue a notice to claim not only the short payment but could also include a penalty of up to £5,000. It could get worse, HM Revenue and Customs may also issue a press release to name and shame the rogue employer. If the employer refuses to pay, the taxman could take them to court. Sensible managers pick the right people and look after them by providing a proper rate of pay.