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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 15:55:04 GMT
I am constantly amazed at the rules and policies that have to be rolled out in the workplace these days. Things that you thought were common sense - now have to be made policy.
I was asked by my CEO to roll out a policy about not disclosing personal emails of other employees/managers to clients. What? I asked what prompted this and the answer was one of our customer service folks was getting agitated at very unhappy client and suggested they follow up with an email to the Account Manager. When told that the Account Manager did not respond to their emails, she went ahead and gave them his personal email address! What?!
What silly rules/policies have you seen rolled out lately that leaves you scratching your head why do we need to have that as a policy?
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 25, 2014 16:14:40 GMT
Common sense has become a super power and we all know how rare super powers are. Hence P&P out the whazoo.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
Posts: 4,407
Location: Dallas Texas
Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 25, 2014 17:14:15 GMT
Why make a policy about it though? Can't the CEO or other boss talk to the offending party? Unless it's happening by multiple people, no need for a policy.
I get so annoyed at my school by spineless principals that send out blanket emails or make policies that are really directed at just one or two people. We all know who you are talking about. Grow a backbone and confront that person.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 25, 2014 17:24:34 GMT
Wow. What an ass to give out a personal email addy.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 2:37:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 17:27:46 GMT
I'm sensitive to a lot of smells (perfume, cologne) but when my previous work place instituted a scent-free policy I thought it was ridiculous. It really was because of one individual, and he had personal issues that made him feel insecure and he wore TOO much cologne to compensate. His cologne did make me feel sick but I still thought the policy was wrong.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Jul 25, 2014 17:37:52 GMT
I'm sensitive to a lot of smells (perfume, cologne) but when my previous work place instituted a scent-free policy I thought it was ridiculous. It really was because of one individual, and he had personal issues that made him feel insecure and he wore TOO much cologne to compensate. His cologne did make me feel sick but I still thought the policy was wrong. I work in a hospital that has a scent-free policy, and I really appreciate it. All of our policies are corporate, though, and cover several hospitals, so we know they aren't just because of one person. And think of it this way... right now it may just be that ONE person who "needs" the policy, but what if tomorrow they hired a one of those women who bathe in perfume but can't smell how bad they actually smell? Then BOOM, the policy is already in place and it can be dealt with sooner rather than later.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 2:37:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 17:40:18 GMT
I understand why people like and use scent-free policies, I just disagree with it.
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Post by traceys on Jul 25, 2014 17:44:57 GMT
Why make a policy about it though? Can't the CEO or other boss talk to the offending party? Unless it's happening by multiple people, no need for a policy. I get so annoyed at my school by spineless principals that send out blanket emails or make policies that are really directed at just one or two people. We all know who you are talking about. Grow a backbone and confront that person. Ours was THE worst for that. Drove everyone crazy.
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 25, 2014 17:45:07 GMT
Where I work if there is no P&P then there is no rule against whatever. No rule no need to change what you are doing.
So when an issue arises a new P&P is put in place to deal with it.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,790
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Jul 25, 2014 18:05:11 GMT
I am seeing more and more that today's disciplinary measures consist of a blanket email or a meeting with an entire department. The issue is discussed, usually very firmly with consequences outlined, and the offending party just sits there thinking "Oh they can't possibly be referring to ME."
I am old school, been in the workplace for over 45 years, and I can see the decline of so many things, common sense and basic good manners being number one. No surprise that proper business behavior/protocol now has to be enumerated in a policy.
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Jul 25, 2014 18:07:09 GMT
Common sense has become a super power and we all know how rare super powers are. Hence P&P out the whazoo. I believe that it is done because if it was only one person and they were "talked to about it." They would file a grievance about being "picked upon, or harassed" because of something else, not the behavior that got them in trouble in the first place. If it goes out applying to EVERYONE, then that one person cannot say they were being "picked upon."
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 25, 2014 18:19:26 GMT
In our family, we always joke that "someone had to go and ruin it for everyone." In other words, something that may make sense under the right circumstance is ridiculous when used incorrectly by someone with no common sense.
Packing lists for Boy Scouts are on my mind. DS uses his phone as a camera and as an e reader. He was on an 8 hour drive last week without a book or a camera for the week. But my favorite was "no chain saws" on the packing list. I'd like to hear the story that led to the banning of chain saws! Who would ever think to bring a chain saw to scout camp!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jul 25, 2014 18:20:12 GMT
We just had an email come out that children were not allowed at meetings or work related trainings. To me, it is common sense that you wouldn't bring your children to a meeting, but it has been happening quite a bit lately. Apparently some people had complained so the boss sent out an email. Then other people wrote in saying why the policy was bad and that children should be allowed. Some argued that breastfeeding mothers can't be away from their kids that long and should be able to bring them. There is a new person who has brought her baby to the last two meetings and breastfed right in the meeting with no blanket or anything. Now, I am as pro-breastfeeding as they come but this was taking it a little too far. Anyway, as it stands, children are no longer allowed at meetings in our agency.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 18:41:54 GMT
Wow. What an ass to give out a personal email addy. Yep - I believe it was done incidentally by an employee who obviously had difficulty with aggressive clients on the phone. But still...
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 18:42:58 GMT
Why make a policy about it though? Can't the CEO or other boss talk to the offending party? Unless it's happening by multiple people, no need for a policy. I get so annoyed at my school by spineless principals that send out blanket emails or make policies that are really directed at just one or two people. We all know who you are talking about. Grow a backbone and confront that person. Yep - it was addressed, but due to the confidentiality issues, he felt it was important it be a separate policy. I know, I'm not so sure it had to be a separate policy and all....
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 18:44:19 GMT
We just had an email come out that children were not allowed at meetings or work related trainings. To me, it is common sense that you wouldn't bring your children to a meeting, but it has been happening quite a bit lately. Apparently some people had complained so the boss sent out an email. Then other people wrote in saying why the policy was bad and that children should be allowed. Some argued that breastfeeding mothers can't be away from their kids that long and should be able to bring them. There is a new person who has brought her baby to the last two meetings and breastfed right in the meeting with no blanket or anything. Now, I am as pro-breastfeeding as they come but this was taking it a little too far. Anyway, as it stands, children are no longer allowed at meetings in our agency. Oh my gosh...you would think that it was common sense. However, did I mention we had to remind everyone about not bringing animals - (unless it is a service animal) to the office too? That was a couple of months ago after one person brought their dog and then allowed it to go to the bathroom on the carpet, had to be reminded to pick it up. Sheesh.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 18:45:10 GMT
In our family, we always joke that "someone had to go and ruin it for everyone." In other words, something that may make sense under the right circumstance is ridiculous when used incorrectly by someone with no common sense. Packing lists for Boy Scouts are on my mind. DS uses his phone as a camera and as an e reader. He was on an 8 hour drive last week without a book or a camera for the week. But my favorite was "no chain saws" on the packing list. I'd like to hear the story that led to the banning of chain saws! Who would ever think to bring a chain saw to scout camp! Oh yes, someone always has to ruin it! Chainsaws? Holy cow! Another common sense thing you would think didn't need a policy.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 2:37:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 19:22:23 GMT
You'd be surprised at what employees feel they have the right to do. If it's not specifically written in a company policy, many times they think it is OK to do/say, etc. I had one employee who manages a reception desk ask me if it was okay to play on his cell phone when he "wasn't busy" ....umm no....you find something productive to do.
I've had to tell employees they couldn't nap on the job before too.
ugh....I don't love writing P&Ps, but it seems like everything must be in writing (and in writing helps the employer when they terminate...if there is a policy that applies to all employees and the employee has been warned and told if they do it again, they will lose their job, then the employer can fight the unemployment wage claim.)
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,971
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Jul 25, 2014 19:30:15 GMT
Why make a policy about it though? Can't the CEO or other boss talk to the offending party? Unless it's happening by multiple people, no need for a policy. I get so annoyed at my school by spineless principals that send out blanket emails or make policies that are really directed at just one or two people. We all know who you are talking about. Grow a backbone and confront that person. This, this, a thousand times this!!!!!!
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Post by rumplesnat on Jul 25, 2014 19:36:43 GMT
I used to work as a supervisor in a call center and one strictly enforced rule was having to sit in your chair with both feet on the floor. The number of employees who fell out of their chairs while sitting with one leg tucked under themselves or completely Indian style was astonishing.
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Post by kimpossible on Jul 25, 2014 19:37:17 GMT
I used to work as a supervisor in a call center and one strictly enforced rule was having to sit in your chair with both feet on the floor. The number of employees who fell out of their chairs while sitting with one leg tucked under themselves or completely Indian style was astonishing. Wow - who knew?!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 2:37:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 19:42:06 GMT
Ha! I work for a bank, so we have oodles and oodles of policies, of course.
But sometimes, we'll get a notice of a new one that addresses such an unlikely issue that I can't help but wonder who the moron was that did something ridiculously stupid that it prompted this new silly policy.
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Post by pretzels on Jul 25, 2014 19:46:42 GMT
When I worked at the newspaper years ago, dress was fairly casual. I worked only in the office, from 4 p.m. to midnight and had almost zero contact with the public. The reporters for the most part dressed appropriately for what they were covering -- dressier for a court case, a little more casual for a school board meeting or a protest or something. I mainly wore jeans, as did the rest of my copy-desk co-workers.
Until the day a reporter freaking wore YOGA PANTS to work. She was a reporter who went out and spoke with the public every single day and she wore YOGA PANTS to work. So my EIC issued an edict that you could not wear jeans to work. You had to wear khakis or slacks of some sort. There was a mutiny on the copy desk and we regained our jeans-wearing rights.
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 25, 2014 20:10:47 GMT
I'd like a policy here on how much boob one can show! A coworker wore a blouse last week that showed acres of boob. She's like a GG and everyone saw it all.
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 25, 2014 20:12:29 GMT
Several years ago, our company instituted a No Eating at your desk policy. Why? Because apparently ONE person thought it was completely okay to talk to clients while chomping down on her Corn Flakes every morning (or whatever it was.)
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Post by Meri-Lyn on Jul 25, 2014 20:14:06 GMT
I used to work as a supervisor in a call center and one strictly enforced rule was having to sit in your chair with both feet on the floor. The number of employees who fell out of their chairs while sitting with one leg tucked under themselves or completely Indian style was astonishing. Oh my gosh, that's the only way I sit. I would never make it at your office!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 6, 2024 2:37:46 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 20:17:28 GMT
Why make a policy about it though? Can't the CEO or other boss talk to the offending party? Unless it's happening by multiple people, no need for a policy. I get so annoyed at my school by spineless principals that send out blanket emails or make policies that are really directed at just one or two people. We all know who you are talking about. Grow a backbone and confront that person. Amen! The same thing where I work. If you have one employee who is not getting her work done because she is on her phone all day, talk to HER not a freaking memo! The rest of us our fine!
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Jul 25, 2014 20:21:22 GMT
I used to work as a supervisor in a call center and one strictly enforced rule was having to sit in your chair with both feet on the floor. The number of employees who fell out of their chairs while sitting with one leg tucked under themselves or completely Indian style was astonishing. I wouldn't make it working there. I don't know if I ever have two feet on the floor. Even if I concentrate on it, at some point one of my legs ends up curled up somewhere. I've never fallen out of my chair because of it though.
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back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 25, 2014 20:23:04 GMT
The CEO needs to find his spine and address it with the person who screwed up and not handslap the entire staff. Managerial skills are so lacking today.
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Post by mzza111 on Jul 25, 2014 20:23:41 GMT
I don't have a problem with silly policies but I have a HUGE problem with management not enforcing them! If the dress code of a business casual office says no bare midriffs and there are muffin tops of skin clearly visible, enforce the frickin' dress code!
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