Microsoft has turned its Dutch headquarters into a radical experiment which the company believes could point the way to the future of the workplace. Its office at Schiphol airport has done away with dedicated desks and offices and it has given employees the freedom to chose where, when and how they work.The experiment is underpinned by sophisticated technology, which allows Microsoft staff to communicate using chat, e-mail, social networking tools and video conferencing, wherever they are. Microsoft, backed by research from the Rotterdam School of Management, says the result is a happier workforce, improved staff retention rates, increased productivity and lower building costs.