Top 10 Stupid Work Policies

What This is About: I talk to people about work culture every chance I get. It’s amazing how in 2019, they tell me about stupid, antiquated policies that linger on from the distant past.  Why? Here are the top 10 beefs I hear about that frustrate and diminish people. 

  1. Punch card or fill out time and attendance forms. Ok, I get some jobs are based on specific hours people work. However, most knowledge worker positions need to be based on results not time and attendance.

  2. Expect to work at a specific place from 9 to 5 or a facsimile. So many jobs these days can be effectively completed from anywhere, anytime. The technology makes it so possible. Still, we have rush hour traffic, people frantically driving to work wasting hours of time and resources. Really? How dumb! 

  3. Bow to hierarchy. Of course organizations have people who have titles, positions and a hierarchy where people get paid more and have greater responsibility. However, the idea that we should give extra attention or defer to people up the chain of command is regressive. Every person deserves equal respect in the workplace. 

  4. Everyone is about the same. If our organization looks like it did 10 years ago relative to structure, roles and opportunity; well you’ve been stuck in a paradigm of sad sameness. Reflect the makeup of the entire community at every position and function or quit saying we’re committed to diversity and inclusion. 

  5. Using old technology. In our life outside of work, most of us use modern communication and productivity platforms but at work we still rely on old school email to get things done. Pfft. 

  6. Cumbersome processes. Everything is compared to Amazon Prime. It’s that simple. If Amazon can make it easy, why can’t our organization? 

  7. Annual performance reviews and ratings. Imagine with people we care about in your life, the only time we talked about making things better for all was once a year and we gave them a 1 to 5 rating? Dumb, eh? 

  8. Performance management. Just the term is insulting.

  9. Dress codes. Some jobs require a uniform or wearing things to keep people safe etc. In most cases, why not let people use their judgment? Most people wear clothes to work. 

  10. All rules and policies that treat us like we are not fully functional adults. Honestly, when we read the things people make up to control us, it is demeaning and patronizing. These goofy rules are usually accompanied by a form, require a signature and give us a reporting system no one really cares about. Makes us laugh out loud and sad at the same time. 

Why It’s Important: If we can’t change these kind of numb nutty ideas, let’s quit talking about how much we care about culture. (P.S. I could have added 10 more demoralizing things. What if we just started with these)? 

Think Big, Start Now, Kill Dumb Rules.

- Lorne 

One Millennial View: If only there was a way to slow clap via text. I think this is an excellent list, and truly hope it ignites some conversations in the offices still dealing with the red tape on some of these issues.

- Garrett

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