Sure, We Trust You…Now Bend Over

Posted on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 by Frank Roche

In what should feel like a kick in the gut to every HR and IT person who thinks it’s okay “own” people while they’re at work, look at this Dilbert cartoon from March 3, 2008. Please look quickly because the strips don’t stay up for more than a couple of weeks. Here’s the punchline:

(Panel 1) Catbert to new employee: Our company is like a family. Our culture is built on trust and respect.
(Panel 2) Catbert to new employee: Now sign this document that says we can test you for drugs and search your computer and your office.

I’m predicting two reactions here. If you’re the one saying, “Yeah, that’s right, trust, but verify,” then all I can do is shake my head. Irony is not your strong suit. If you felt punched in the gut, do something. Change your policy. Or at least talk about it. In Plato’s words, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

User Comments

Scott

Mar 6th, 2008

I don’t know about you, but this sounds just like my family. My parents would routinely search my room and invade my privacy.
Robyn

Mar 6th, 2008

Frank, thanks for showing a huge cravasse between a “politically correct” statement and the bottom line. Thanks for yet another pithy post.
Frank Roche

Mar 7th, 2008

Thanks, Robyn. It’s scary how different words and actions are in some companies.

Scott, lol. Yep, trust means trust. Otherwise it’s a violation.
Chris Young

Mar 8th, 2008

I say, “trust but verify”…

Everything starts out wonderfully… Then… Reality sets in.

You never know when someone is going to turn on you, the team, or the organization.

I’ve seen the nicest, meekest, mildest mannered people you would never suspect do the nastiest things electronically.

Then one day they decide to copy competitive trade secrets to CD. It happened to my company. Is that respect?

I’ve seen employees who were given opportunities to improve performance begin searching for a job on company time. Is that family-oriented?

And the current generation has what I call “boundary issues.” They believe it is acceptable to do whatever they like while on company computers.

Many people don’t do anything wrong. But some do…

Set the policy. Explain the policy. Then measure the policy.

Excellent topic… Love your blog btw…