Rules for a happy office?

office body languageThis week I attended a training session at work, on the organisation’s Responsible Conduct of Staff Policy.

After two hours of discussing the misuse of corporate credit cards, the rules around having another job on the side and the implications of swearing at your colleagues when they annoy you, it struck me that there were a few things missing* from the policy.

1. When returning to the office after exercising, please do not do your cool-down stretches in front of colleagues.
There’s a reason many of us don’t befriend all of our colleagues on Facebook: we know there are some things they just shouldn’t see. The same can be said for senior managers doing glute stretches while wearing very short shorts. Things escape when put under pressure. You know what I’m talking about. Continue reading

What happened to humility?

Image: http://worldofdtcmarketing.com/vertex-failure-due-to-arrogance/bad-practices/

A little while ago I was introduced to a new member of staff at work, just a few days after they started. I work for a long-established, huge, sprawling organisation, with many illogical structures and unwritten rules that seem specifically designed to confuse the newbie.

I launched my usual ‘new starter’ conversation. ‘How are you finding it?’ I asked with a smile. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll give you a few weeks to get your head around everything.’

The response was cold, firm and direct: ‘I’ve done this type of work many times before. It’s not difficult.’ Continue reading