[babymanval]

Hi all,

Workplace policies/procedures/rules/directives from management etc. can often be ridiculous, counter-productively nonsensical at times. However I heard the most ridiculous one today. A friend of mine texted me at lunch to tell me about a farcical 30 minute meeting that she had to sit through:

She got an email requesting her to attend a meeting with her line manager this morning. It transpired that the purpose of this was to discuss any support that she may need for "any addictions that [she] might be suffering with"... The catalyst for this? Her manager had observed her taking three, rather than the recommended two tablets (for her Katie Taylor homecoming-inspired hangover). Furthermore, the manager observed that she had 2 packets of Solpadeine on her desk, "in full view". She came away from the meeting with some literature on addiction agencies, and a heartfelt reassurance that the management have a staunch policy of standing behind employees where they need support.

It got me to thinking; I've heard of some management requests/policies that would make you want to rip your hair out. They always put me in mind of the film "Office Space" (TPS reports etc). My experiences have been:

- A request that I wear black slacks, instead of the very (very, very, very) dark blue/navy ones I was wearing, in a telesales job, with zero contact with anyone, ever.
- The (quickly boycotted) organisation of separate male and female Xmas "parties", so "as not to encourage workplace romance/indiscretions leading to awkwardness/disruption in the team".

Anyone else?

[MagicMarker]

My employer doesn't allow fisting.

[The Amazing Spiderman]

Originally Posted by babymanval

Hi all,

Workplace policies/procedures/rules/directives from management etc. can often be ridiculous, counter-productively nonsensical at times. However I heard the most ridiculous one today. A friend of mine texted me at lunch to tell me about a farcical 30 minute meeting that she had to sit through:

She got an email requesting her to attend a meeting with her line manager this morning. It transpired that the purpose of this was to discuss any support that she may need for "any addictions that [she] might be suffering with"... The catalyst for this? Her manager had observed her taking three, rather than the recommended two tablets (for her Katie Taylor homecoming-inspired hangover). Furthermore, the manager observed that she had 2 packets of Solpadeine on her desk, "in full view". She came away from the meeting with some literature on addiction agencies, and a heartfelt reassurance that the management have a staunch policy of standing behind employees where they need support.



Anyone else?

Sure that sounds like a bit of an overreaction. But at least they mean well

[Lyaiera]

My employer prefers we only have a few drinks while working and keep the heavy drinking for when we've knocked off.

[Millicent]

So, your friend has a hangover on a workday, takes more than the prescribed dose of OTC medicine, and has two boxes of a highly addictive, tightly controlled and usually prescription-only codeine painkiller on her desk? I wonder why her boss might have thought she had difficulty with substance abuse problems.

[Cassidy28]

It seems fairly okay to me.

[marshbaboon]

I was brought into a managers office & told I "wasn't friendly enough & needed to spend more time talking to co-workers".

[mauzo]

Originally Posted by marshbaboon

I was brought into a managers office & told I "wasn't friendly enough & needed to spend more time talking to co-workers".

I was told that too, so I started screwing half the staff

[The_Dazzler]

Originally Posted by Millicent

So, your friend has a hangover on a workday, takes more than the prescribed dose of OTC medicine, and has two boxes of a highly addictive, tightly controlled and usually prescription-only codeine painkiller on her desk? I wonder why her boss might have thought she had difficulty with substance abuse problems.

What's this now?

[some random drunk]

In my ex-girlfriend's office they were only permitted to drink bottles of water at their desks (including carbonated, flavoured water). She had a bottle of 7up one day and was given out to and warned not do it again.

[Where To]

I love my boss, he's the bestest boss in the world ever, very handsome also.

[Millicent]

Originally Posted by marshbaboon

I was brought into a managers office & told I "wasn't friendly enough & needed to spend more time talking to co-workers".

Originally Posted by syndeyfife

I was told that too, so I started screwing half the staff

I got told I was talking too much to customers. In a retail job. Because I was making chit chat while scanning through shopping. How the fuck is that a bad thing?

[1ZRed]

Originally Posted by syndeyfife

I was told that too, so I started screwing half the staff

Yeah like you needed a reason

[Lyaiera]

Originally Posted by The_Dazzler

What's this now?

It's no longer over the counter. I think the pharmacists have a little leeway over handing it out though.

[Millicent]

Originally Posted by The_Dazzler

What's this now?

Solpadeine is ridiculously hard to get now. Same rules as that for Nurofen Plus cos of the codeine in it.